Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pleasant Hills, MD (2024 Update)
- Pleasant Hills Solar Installation Cost: $13,833
- 25-Year Savings: $10,070
- Payback Period: 16.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pleasant Hills
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Pleasant Hills.
In Pleasant Hills, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Pleasant Hills, most homeowners require a 5.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $13,833, or $19,781 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Pleasant Hills depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.Despite the high initial cost, the average Pleasant Hills homeowner can save around $14,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Pleasant Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,419 |
| 3 years | $-9,590 |
| 5 years | $-6,761 |
| 7 years | $-3,933 |
| 9 years | $-1,104 |
| 11 years | $1,725 |
| 13 years | $4,554 |
| 15 years | $7,382 |
| 17 years | $10,211 |
| 19 years | $13,040 |
| 21 years | $15,869 |
| 23 years | $18,697 |
| 25 years | $21,526 |
Top Solar Installers in Pleasant Hills
Putting up solar panels yourself can be a stressful undertaking, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another good thing about going with a reliable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Pleasant Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pleasant Hills
The cost of installing a solar system in Pleasant Hills can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production require better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,540.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Pleasant Hills average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Pleasant Hills, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Pleasant Hills, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Pleasant Hills are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.68 | $15,463 | $6,994 | 17.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.61 | $20,220 | $9,722 | 16.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.54 | $24,780 | $12,648 | 16.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.47 | $29,141 | $15,772 | 16.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.40 | $33,304 | $19,095 | 15.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.33 | $37,269 | $22,616 | 15.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.26 | $41,036 | $26,335 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,604 | $30,252 | 14.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Pleasant Hills, MD Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pleasant Hills?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,700 for a 5-kW system and $35,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Pleasant Hills?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Pleasant Hills?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.