Solar Panel Cost Guide in Wiscasset, ME (2023 Update)
- Wiscasset Solar Installation Cost: $10,519
- 25-Year Savings: $12,116
- Payback Period: 11.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Wiscasset
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Wiscasset.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Wiscasset generally cost about 2.83. Using this figure, a typical 5.3-kW system would cost about $10,519 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Despite the significant initial cost, the average Wiscasset homeowner can save about $16,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in Wiscasset for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Wiscasset
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,614 |
| 3 years | $-7,803 |
| 5 years | $-5,992 |
| 7 years | $-4,181 |
| 9 years | $-2,371 |
| 11 years | $-560 |
| 13 years | $1,251 |
| 15 years | $3,062 |
| 17 years | $4,873 |
| 19 years | $6,683 |
| 21 years | $8,494 |
| 23 years | $10,305 |
| 25 years | $12,116 |
Top Solar Installers in Wiscasset
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar companies offer can be valuable as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar system company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 Wiscasset
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Wiscasset
For many Wiscasset homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Wiscasset, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
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 consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,830 per kilowatt in Wiscasset. The kind of 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. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Wiscasset average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Wiscasset offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. 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 more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of renewable energy solutions in Wiscasset, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.94 | $12,361 | $13,216 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.89 | $16,165 | $17,938 | 11.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.83 | $19,810 | $22,819 | 11.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.77 | $23,297 | $27,858 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.72 | $26,625 | $33,056 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.66 | $29,794 | $38,412 | 10.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.60 | $32,805 | $43,927 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.55 | $35,658 | $49,600 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts 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 Wiscasset, ME Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Wiscasset?
The average cost of solar panels in Wiscasset is about $14,150 for a 5-kW system and $28,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.