Solar Panel Cost Guide in Chadron, NE (2024 Update)
- Chadron Solar Installation Cost: $22,604
- 25-Year Savings: $30,074
- Payback Period: 11.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Chadron
See how much it might cost to go solar in Chadron.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Chadron it’s 4 per watt.The average Chadron homeowner needs a 9.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $22,604 with the federal tax credit, or $32,324 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Chadron homeowner can save around $20,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Chadron for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Chadron
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-21,382 |
| 3 years | $-18,938 |
| 5 years | $-16,494 |
| 7 years | $-14,050 |
| 9 years | $-11,606 |
| 11 years | $-9,162 |
| 13 years | $-6,717 |
| 15 years | $-4,273 |
| 17 years | $-1,829 |
| 19 years | $615 |
| 21 years | $3,059 |
| 23 years | $5,503 |
| 25 years | $7,947 |
Top Solar Installers in Chadron
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Using a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for you.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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 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 Chadron
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Chadron
The cost of installing a solar system in Chadron can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,580 per kilowatt in Chadron.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Chadron, where sunlight is relatively 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
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular option because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Chadron is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car 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 | $3.72 | $15,637 | $16,253 | 12.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.65 | $20,449 | $22,071 | 12.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.58 | $25,060 | $28,091 | 11.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.51 | $29,471 | $34,310 | 11.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.44 | $33,681 | $40,730 | 11.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,690 | $47,351 | 11.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.29 | $41,499 | $54,172 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.22 | $45,108 | $61,193 | 10.6 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 brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
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 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 Chadron, NE Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Chadron?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,900 for a 5-kW system and $35,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Chadron?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 decide 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.