Solar Panel Cost Guide in Circle Pines, MN (2024 Update)
- Circle Pines Solar Installation Cost: $20,251
- 25-Year Savings: $21,376
- Payback Period: 14.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Circle Pines
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Circle Pines.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Circle Pines, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average Circle Pines homeowner needs a 7.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $20,251 with the federal tax credit, or $28,959 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with.Despite the large initial cost, the average Circle Pines homeowner can save around $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Circle Pines
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,972 |
| 3 years | $-16,413 |
| 5 years | $-13,854 |
| 7 years | $-11,295 |
| 9 years | $-8,736 |
| 11 years | $-6,177 |
| 13 years | $-3,618 |
| 15 years | $-1,060 |
| 17 years | $1,499 |
| 19 years | $4,058 |
| 21 years | $6,617 |
| 23 years | $9,176 |
| 25 years | $11,735 |
Top Solar Installers in Circle Pines
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be hard. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Circle Pines:
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
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 Circle Pines
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Circle Pines
There are a number of factors that can affect your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Circle Pines, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $4,030 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Circle Pines, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Circle Pines have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Circle Pines homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Circle Pines is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount 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 | $4.19 | $17,603 | $12,190 | 14.8 years |
| 8 kW | $4.11 | $23,019 | $16,705 | 14.5 years |
| 10 kW | $4.03 | $28,210 | $21,446 | 14.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.95 | $33,175 | $26,412 | 13.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.87 | $37,914 | $31,604 | 13.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.79 | $42,428 | $37,021 | 13.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.71 | $46,716 | $42,665 | 13.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.63 | $50,778 | $48,534 | 12.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with 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 some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you choose.
- Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar panel system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
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 Circle Pines, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Circle Pines?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $20,150 for a 5-kW system and $40,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt 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 solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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.