Solar Panel Cost Guide in O'Neill, NE (2024 Update)
- O'Neill Solar Installation Cost: $23,871
- 25-Year Savings: $23,267
- Payback Period: 14.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in O'Neill
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in O'Neill.
The average cost of solar panels in O'Neill is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in O'Neill, most homeowners require a 9.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $23,871, or $34,136 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember 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 panels you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in O'Neill can save around $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in O'Neill that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in O'Neill
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-22,649 |
| 3 years | $-20,205 |
| 5 years | $-17,760 |
| 7 years | $-15,316 |
| 9 years | $-12,872 |
| 11 years | $-10,428 |
| 13 years | $-7,984 |
| 15 years | $-5,540 |
| 17 years | $-3,096 |
| 19 years | $-651 |
| 21 years | $1,793 |
| 23 years | $4,237 |
| 25 years | $6,681 |
Top Solar Installers in O'Neill
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 O'Neill
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in O'Neill
Though the average cost of a solar system in O'Neill is $23,871, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production need 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 $3,580.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like O'Neill, where sunlight is relatively 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
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in O'Neill, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in O'Neill, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $10,904 | 14.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.65 | $20,449 | $14,939 | 14.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.58 | $25,060 | $19,176 | 14.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.51 | $29,471 | $23,612 | 13.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.44 | $33,681 | $28,249 | 13.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,690 | $33,087 | 13.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.29 | $41,499 | $38,125 | 13.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.22 | $45,108 | $43,363 | 12.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 O'Neill, NE Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in O'Neill?
This is a difficult 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. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, 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 O'Neill?
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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.