Solar Panel Cost Guide in Keene, NH (2023 Update)
- Keene Solar Installation Cost: $10,177
- 25-Year Savings: $14,823
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Keene
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Keene.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Keene it's 2.91 per watt. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Keene, most homeowners require a 5.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $10,185, or $14,565 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may vary based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on power bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Keene that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Keene
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,094 |
| 3 years | $-9,927 |
| 5 years | $-9,760 |
| 7 years | $-9,594 |
| 9 years | $-9,427 |
| 11 years | $-9,260 |
| 13 years | $-9,094 |
| 15 years | $-8,927 |
| 17 years | $-8,760 |
| 19 years | $-8,594 |
| 21 years | $-8,427 |
| 23 years | $-8,260 |
| 25 years | $-8,094 |
Top Solar Installers in Keene
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. 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.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. 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 Keene
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Keene
While the average cost of a solar system in Keene is $10,185, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Keene, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, 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. The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider 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's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Keene homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Keene is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Companies that 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 at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $3.03 | $12,711 | $17,313 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.97 | $16,622 | $23,410 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.91 | $20,370 | $29,670 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.85 | $23,955 | $36,093 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.79 | $27,377 | $42,679 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.74 | $30,636 | $49,428 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.68 | $33,733 | $56,339 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.62 | $36,666 | $63,414 | 9.2 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 models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
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 Keene, NH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Keene?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Keene?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or get 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 savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Keene?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Keene?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.