Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Portland, ME (2025 Update)
- South Portland Solar Installation Cost: $13,948
- 25-Year Savings: $12,247
- Payback Period: 15.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Portland
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in South Portland.
The average cost of a solar system in South Portland is 4 per watt.The average South Portland homeowner needs a 5.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,948 with the federal tax credit, or $19,946 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Even with the significant initial cost, the average South Portland homeowner can save around $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in South Portland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,810 |
| 3 years | $-10,534 |
| 5 years | $-8,257 |
| 7 years | $-5,981 |
| 9 years | $-3,704 |
| 11 years | $-1,428 |
| 13 years | $849 |
| 15 years | $3,125 |
| 17 years | $5,402 |
| 19 years | $7,678 |
| 21 years | $9,955 |
| 23 years | $12,231 |
| 25 years | $14,508 |
Top Solar Installers in South Portland
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra effort and handiness. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for you.
Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
See all of the solar companies in South Portland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Portland
The cost of installing a solar system in South Portland can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in South Portland, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in South Portland is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering 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 | $3.95 | $16,598 | $9,301 | 16.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $12,827 | 15.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $16,565 | 15.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $20,517 | 15.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $24,681 | 14.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $29,058 | 14.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $33,648 | 14.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $38,451 | 13.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds 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, such as:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, be sure to read it through carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren’t sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
EcoWatch's South Portland, ME Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South Portland?
The average cost of solar panels in South Portland 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 model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in South Portland?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Does South Portland have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.