Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hillsborough, NH (2024 Update)

  • Hillsborough Solar Installation Cost: $14,627
  • 25-Year Savings: $14,914
  • Payback Period: 14.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hillsborough

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Hillsborough.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Hillsborough it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.0-kW system would cost about $14,627 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

How much you pay can go above or below the average in Hillsborough depending on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Hillsborough can save about $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a customized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Hillsborough

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 Hillsborough

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your home.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Hillsborough

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hillsborough

For many Hillsborough homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Hillsborough, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $4,220. The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will greatly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Hillsborough, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can impact how much you pay. Hillsborough’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, 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 $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

Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies offer different panels.
  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Hillsborough, NH Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Hillsborough?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally 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 extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Hillsborough?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Hillsborough. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."

How many solar panels should I get to power my home?

To figure out how many solar panels 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 house 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.

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