Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bedford, NH (2024 Update)
- Bedford Solar Installation Cost: $14,627
- 25-Year Savings: $14,914
- Payback Period: 14.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bedford
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Bedford.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Bedford it’s 4 per watt.The average Bedford homeowner needs a 5.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $14,627 with the federal tax credit, or $20,917 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will most likely differ based on your specific situation and what company you go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bedford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,220 |
| 3 years | $-10,406 |
| 5 years | $-7,593 |
| 7 years | $-4,779 |
| 9 years | $-1,966 |
| 11 years | $848 |
| 13 years | $3,662 |
| 15 years | $6,475 |
| 17 years | $9,289 |
| 19 years | $12,103 |
| 21 years | $14,916 |
| 23 years | $17,730 |
| 25 years | $20,544 |
Top Solar Installers in Bedford
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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 Bedford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bedford
The cost of installing a solar system in Bedford can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Bedford, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $4,220 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Bedford average.
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 Bedford homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Bedford, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for 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 | $4.39 | $18,433 | $11,861 | 15.2 years |
| 8 kW | $4.30 | $24,105 | $16,287 | 14.9 years |
| 10 kW | $4.22 | $29,540 | $20,950 | 14.6 years |
| 12 kW | $4.14 | $34,739 | $25,848 | 14.3 years |
| 14 kW | $4.05 | $39,702 | $30,984 | 14.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.97 | $44,428 | $36,355 | 13.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.88 | $48,918 | $41,963 | 13.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.80 | $53,172 | $47,807 | 13.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Bedford, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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 Bedford, NH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bedford?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $21,100 for a 5-kW system and $42,200 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 consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Bedford is currently $674,992, so you can expect a value of about $27,675 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Bedford is a worthwhile investment.
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.