Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fridley, MN (2023 Update)
- Fridley Solar Installation Cost: $14,274
- 25-Year Savings: $21,512
- Payback Period: 10.0 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 Fridley
Here's how much it might cost to go solar in Fridley.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Fridley typically cost around 2.84. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Fridley, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,274, or $20,412 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Fridley homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With average savings of about $19,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Fridley find going solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Fridley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,842 |
| 3 years | $-9,980 |
| 5 years | $-7,117 |
| 7 years | $-4,254 |
| 9 years | $-1,391 |
| 11 years | $1,472 |
| 13 years | $4,335 |
| 15 years | $7,198 |
| 17 years | $10,061 |
| 19 years | $12,924 |
| 21 years | $15,786 |
| 23 years | $18,649 |
| 25 years | $21,512 |
Top Solar Installers in Fridley
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra labor and handiness. That's one of the reasons most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment you need.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Fridley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fridley
There are a number of criteria that can affect 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 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 energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,840 per kilowatt in Fridley. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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 in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Fridley average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Fridley to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of 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 principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you choose will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.95 | $12,405 | $17,505 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.90 | $16,222 | $23,658 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.84 | $19,880 | $29,970 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.78 | $23,379 | $36,441 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.73 | $26,719 | $43,071 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.67 | $29,900 | $49,860 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.61 | $32,921 | $56,808 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.56 | $35,784 | $63,915 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the endurance of your solar panels, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, be sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
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 Fridley, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Fridley?
The average cost of solar panels in Fridley is about $14,200 for a 5-kW system and $28,400 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.
Are solar panels free in Fridley?
Solar panels aren't free in Fridley, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Fridley?
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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.