Solar Panel Cost Guide in Woodlawn, MD (2023 Update)

  • Woodlawn Solar Installation Cost: $10,837
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,057
  • Payback Period: 13.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

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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 Woodlawn

We go over average solar pricing in Woodlawn.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Woodlawn it's 2.77 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Woodlawn is around 5.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $10,839 for a solar installation, or $15,500 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Woodlawn can save about $14,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Woodlawn

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,767
3 years $-10,628
5 years $-10,489
7 years $-10,349
9 years $-10,210
11 years $-10,071
13 years $-9,931
15 years $-9,792
17 years $-9,653
19 years $-9,513
21 years $-9,374
23 years $-9,235
25 years $-9,096

Top Solar Installers in Woodlawn

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, if you're not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Woodlawn

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Woodlawn

While the average cost of a solar system in Woodlawn is $10,839, your final cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,770 per kilowatt in Woodlawn. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Woodlawn to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can play a part in determining your pricing. Woodlawn's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is within your budget.

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 brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer different brands and models of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar company you're considering has it.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Woodlawn, MD Solar Cost FAQs

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

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. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Woodlawn?

A solar panel system isn't free in Woodlawn, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

Is it worth going solar in Woodlawn?

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

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.

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.

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