Solar Panel Cost Guide in Winslow, ME (2024 Update)
- Winslow Solar Installation Cost: $14,502
- 25-Year Savings: $11,835
- Payback Period: 16.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Winslow
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Winslow.
In Winslow, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Winslow, most homeowners require a 5.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $14,502, or $20,738 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Winslow see about $16,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Winslow
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,364 |
| 3 years | $-11,087 |
| 5 years | $-8,811 |
| 7 years | $-6,534 |
| 9 years | $-4,258 |
| 11 years | $-1,981 |
| 13 years | $295 |
| 15 years | $2,572 |
| 17 years | $4,848 |
| 19 years | $7,125 |
| 21 years | $9,401 |
| 23 years | $11,678 |
| 25 years | $13,954 |
Top Solar Installers in Winslow
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some nearby:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Winslow
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Winslow
For many Winslow homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Winslow, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,800 per kilowatt in Winslow.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Winslow average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Winslow provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Winslow is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Additionally, some companies in Winslow have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $8,312 | 16.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $11,509 | 16.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $14,918 | 16.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $18,540 | 15.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $22,375 | 15.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $26,423 | 15.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $30,683 | 14.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $35,156 | 14.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Winslow, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you go with.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a quality company.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Winslow, ME Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Winslow?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient 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 cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Winslow?
Solar panels aren’t free in Winslow, 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 help lower the cost.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $830.36 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Winslow?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.