Solar Panel Cost Guide in Walkersville, MD (Mar 2023)
- Walkersville Solar Installation Cost: $10,994
- 25-Year Savings: $5,329
- Payback Period: 16.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Walkersville
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Walkersville.
In Walkersville, solar panels cost about 2.77 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in Walkersville is around 5.7 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $10,994 for a solar installation, or $15,721 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Walkersville homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $11,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Walkersville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,341 |
| 3 years | $-9,035 |
| 5 years | $-7,729 |
| 7 years | $-6,424 |
| 9 years | $-5,118 |
| 11 years | $-3,812 |
| 13 years | $-2,506 |
| 15 years | $-1,200 |
| 17 years | $106 |
| 19 years | $1,412 |
| 21 years | $2,717 |
| 23 years | $4,023 |
| 25 years | $5,329 |
Top Solar Installers in Walkersville
Installing solar panels yourself can be a stressful undertaking, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a vetted solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Walkersville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Walkersville
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Walkersville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Walkersville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Walkersville, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. It's wise to factor the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Walkersville is the company you get to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $5,181 | 17.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.83 | $15,822 | $7,218 | 17.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.77 | $19,390 | $9,410 | 16.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.71 | $22,803 | $11,758 | 16.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.66 | $26,060 | $14,260 | 16.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.60 | $29,163 | $16,918 | 15.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.55 | $32,110 | $19,730 | 15.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.49 | $34,902 | $22,698 | 15.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Walkersville, MD Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Walkersville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,850 for a 5-kW system and $27,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know 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 house 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.