Solar Panel Cost Guide in New Brighton, MN (2024 Update)

  • New Brighton Solar Installation Cost: $20,356
  • 25-Year Savings: $21,441
  • Payback Period: 14.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in New Brighton

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in New Brighton.

The average cost of a solar panel system in New Brighton is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in New Brighton, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $20,356, or $29,109 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in New Brighton depending on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in New Brighton that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in New Brighton

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-19,076
3 years $-16,518
5 years $-13,959
7 years $-11,400
9 years $-8,841
11 years $-6,282
13 years $-3,723
15 years $-1,164
17 years $1,395
19 years $3,954
21 years $6,513
23 years $9,071
25 years $11,630

Top Solar Installers in New Brighton

When going solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since DIY solar panel installation can be a time-consuming project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance over time.

If you're on the hunt for a solar company in New Brighton, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 New Brighton

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in New Brighton

For many New Brighton homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in New Brighton, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in New Brighton to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for New Brighton homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can affect the cost. New Brighton’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually 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 $4.19 $17,603 $12,153 14.8 years
8 kW $4.11 $23,019 $16,655 14.5 years
10 kW $4.03 $28,210 $21,383 14.2 years
12 kW $3.95 $33,175 $26,337 13.9 years
14 kW $3.87 $37,914 $31,517 13.7 years
16 kW $3.79 $42,428 $36,922 13.4 years
18 kW $3.71 $46,716 $42,552 13.1 years
20 kW $3.63 $50,778 $48,409 12.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
  • Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, be sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren’t sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to install plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 New Brighton, MN Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in New Brighton?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in New Brighton?

A solar panel system isn’t free in New Brighton, 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 you can take advantage of.

Is making the switch to solar worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last 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 higher 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.

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