Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gilford, NH (2023 Update)
- Gilford Solar Installation Cost: $10,083
- 25-Year Savings: $16,717
- Payback Period: 9.4 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gilford
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Gilford.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Gilford generally cost around 2.91. The average Gilford homeowner needs a 5.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $10,083 with the federal tax credit, or $14,419 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Gilford homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Gilford can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Gilford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,011 |
| 3 years | $-6,867 |
| 5 years | $-4,723 |
| 7 years | $-2,579 |
| 9 years | $-435 |
| 11 years | $1,709 |
| 13 years | $3,853 |
| 15 years | $5,997 |
| 17 years | $8,141 |
| 19 years | $10,285 |
| 21 years | $12,429 |
| 23 years | $14,573 |
| 25 years | $16,717 |
Top Solar Installers in Gilford
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Using an installer can make switching to solar power much easier. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Gilford, optimizing your ROI.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Gilford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gilford
Although the average cost of a solar system in Gilford is $10,083, your final cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Gilford, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,910 for each additional kilowatt you need. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Gilford, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Gilford is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you'll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to greater 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 promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.03 | $12,711 | $19,793 | 9.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.97 | $16,622 | $26,716 | 9.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.91 | $20,370 | $33,802 | 9.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.85 | $23,955 | $41,052 | 9.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.79 | $27,377 | $48,464 | 9.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.74 | $30,636 | $56,039 | 8.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.68 | $33,733 | $63,777 | 8.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.62 | $36,666 | $71,679 | 8.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel 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 a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- 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 positive reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
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 Gilford, NH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Gilford?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $14,550 for a 5-kW system and $29,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Gilford?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure 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.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location 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 $1,083.45 per year.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.