Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bismarck, ND (2023 Update)
- Bismarck Solar Installation Cost: $29,340
- 25-Year Savings: $44,326
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bismarck
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Bismarck.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Bismarck it's 2.42 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 17.3-kW system would cost about $29,340 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Bismarck homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average Bismarck homeowners see about $16,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To receive a free quote from a top solar company in Bismarck, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bismarck
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-26,393 |
| 3 years | $-20,500 |
| 5 years | $-14,607 |
| 7 years | $-8,714 |
| 9 years | $-2,820 |
| 11 years | $3,073 |
| 13 years | $8,966 |
| 15 years | $14,860 |
| 17 years | $20,753 |
| 19 years | $26,646 |
| 21 years | $32,539 |
| 23 years | $38,433 |
| 25 years | $44,326 |
Top Solar Installers in Bismarck
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to use a solar installation company since handling can be a difficult project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, particularly if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Bismarck
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bismarck
The cost of installing a solar system in Bismarck can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,420. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you're looking to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid choice because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. It's wise to factor the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you select will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits 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 | $2.52 | $10,571 | $14,942 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.47 | $13,823 | $20,193 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.42 | $16,940 | $25,580 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.37 | $19,921 | $31,103 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.32 | $22,767 | $36,761 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.27 | $25,478 | $42,555 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.23 | $28,053 | $48,484 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.18 | $30,492 | $54,548 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
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 Bismarck, ND Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bismarck?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,100 for a 5-kW system and $24,200 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Bismarck?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of 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 savings from going solar.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $850.40 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 after having 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.