Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mountain View, NC (Mar 2023)
- Mountain View Solar Installation Cost: $12,197
- 25-Year Savings: $18,989
- Payback Period: 9.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mountain View
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Mountain View.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Mountain View, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.54 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 6.9-kW system would cost about $12,197 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Mountain View homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Despite the high initial cost, the average Mountain View homeowner can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Mountain View
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,950 |
| 3 years | $-8,455 |
| 5 years | $-5,960 |
| 7 years | $-3,465 |
| 9 years | $-970 |
| 11 years | $1,525 |
| 13 years | $4,020 |
| 15 years | $6,515 |
| 17 years | $9,009 |
| 19 years | $11,504 |
| 21 years | $13,999 |
| 23 years | $16,494 |
| 25 years | $18,989 |
Top Solar Installers in Mountain View
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Also, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Mountain View
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mountain View
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Mountain View is $12,197, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $2,540. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Mountain View, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Mountain View homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can impact how much you pay. Mountain View's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company's size sometimes plays the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of 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 | $2.64 | $11,095 | $16,194 | 10.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $21,877 | 10.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $27,702 | 9.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $33,669 | 9.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $39,778 | 9.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $46,030 | 9.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $52,423 | 9.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $58,959 | 8.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer different brands and models of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you're considering has it.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Mountain View, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mountain View?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Mountain View?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase your property's value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose 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 a solar system."
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 decreases 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.