Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Berwick, ME (2024 Update)

  • South Berwick Solar Installation Cost: $13,737
  • 25-Year Savings: $12,405
  • Payback Period: 15.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Berwick

Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in South Berwick.

In South Berwick, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average South Berwick homeowner needs a 5.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,737 with the federal tax credit, or $19,644 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

How much you pay can be above or below the average in South Berwick based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in South Berwick, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in South Berwick

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-12,598
3 years $-10,322
5 years $-8,045
7 years $-5,769
9 years $-3,492
11 years $-1,216
13 years $1,061
15 years $3,337
17 years $5,614
19 years $7,890
21 years $10,167
23 years $12,443
25 years $14,720

Top Solar Installers in South Berwick

Installing solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous project, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in South Berwick, thereby optimizing your ROI.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:

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 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 South Berwick

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Berwick

There are a number of factors that can influence your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,800 per kilowatt in South Berwick.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar system can play a role in determining your pricing. South Berwick’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down 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 $3.95 $16,598 $9,700 15.8 years
8 kW $3.88 $21,706 $13,359 15.5 years
10 kW $3.80 $26,600 $17,231 15.2 years
12 kW $3.72 $31,282 $21,316 14.9 years
14 kW $3.65 $35,750 $25,613 14.6 years
16 kW $3.57 $40,006 $30,123 14.3 years
18 kW $3.50 $44,050 $34,846 14.0 years
20 kW $3.42 $47,880 $39,782 13.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you opt for will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, including:

  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.

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 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 South Berwick, ME Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Berwick?

The average cost of solar panels in South Berwick is about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?

The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."

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 higher level 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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