Solar Panel Cost Guide in Waldorf, MD (2024 Update)

  • Waldorf Solar Installation Cost: $13,435
  • 25-Year Savings: $9,452
  • Payback Period: 16.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Waldorf

We break down average solar pricing in Waldorf.

The average cost of solar panels in Waldorf is 4 per watt.The average Waldorf homeowner needs a 5.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,435 with the federal tax credit, or $19,212 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in Waldorf for a custom quote.

Solar savings over time in Waldorf

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-12,100
3 years$-9,431
5 years$-6,762
7 years$-4,093
9 years$-1,424
11 years$1,245
13 years$3,914
15 years$6,583
17 years$9,252
19 years$11,921
21 years$14,590
23 years$17,260
25 years$19,929

Top Solar Installers in Waldorf

Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra time and know-how. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another perk of going with a solar company is that they can help you make the most of your investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Waldorf

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Waldorf

There are several criteria that can determine your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $3,540. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Waldorf offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Waldorf, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.68$15,463$6,63117.5 years
8 kW$3.61$20,220$9,23817.2 years
10 kW$3.54$24,780$12,04316.8 years
12 kW$3.47$29,141$15,04616.5 years
14 kW$3.40$33,304$18,24816.2 years
16 kW$3.33$37,269$21,64815.8 years
18 kW$3.26$41,036$25,24615.5 years
20 kW$3.19$44,604$29,04215.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies to choose from in Waldorf, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you choose.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
  • Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Waldorf, MD Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Waldorf?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Waldorf?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Waldorf. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Is making the switch to solar worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.