Solar Panel Cost Guide in Reisterstown, MD (2023 Update)
- Reisterstown Solar Installation Cost: $10,839
- 25-Year Savings: $10,055
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Reisterstown
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Reisterstown.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Reisterstown is 2.77 per watt. The average Reisterstown homeowner needs a 5.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $10,839 with the federal tax credit, or $15,500 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Reisterstown depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. With typical savings of about $14,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Reisterstown find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
To get a free estimate from a vetted solar installer in Reisterstown, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Reisterstown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,003 |
| 3 years | $-8,332 |
| 5 years | $-6,660 |
| 7 years | $-4,989 |
| 9 years | $-3,317 |
| 11 years | $-1,646 |
| 13 years | $26 |
| 15 years | $1,697 |
| 17 years | $3,369 |
| 19 years | $5,040 |
| 21 years | $6,712 |
| 23 years | $8,383 |
| 25 years | $10,055 |
Top Solar Installers in Reisterstown
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a difficult undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, especially if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Reisterstown, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Reisterstown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Reisterstown
For many Reisterstown homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Reisterstown, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Reisterstown, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Reisterstown, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.88 | $12,099 | $10,331 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $14,085 | 13.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $17,995 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $22,059 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $26,278 | 12.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $30,653 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $35,182 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $39,867 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- 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 past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Reisterstown, MD Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Reisterstown?
The average cost of solar panels in Reisterstown is about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Reisterstown?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $747.69 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Reisterstown?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.