Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northwood, NH (2024 Update)
- Northwood Solar Installation Cost: $14,236
- 25-Year Savings: $16,983
- Payback Period: 13.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northwood
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Northwood.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Northwood, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.Because a 4.8-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Northwood, the average price of going solar will be about $14,236 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in Northwood based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Northwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,829 |
| 3 years | $-10,016 |
| 5 years | $-7,202 |
| 7 years | $-4,388 |
| 9 years | $-1,575 |
| 11 years | $1,239 |
| 13 years | $4,053 |
| 15 years | $6,866 |
| 17 years | $9,680 |
| 19 years | $12,493 |
| 21 years | $15,307 |
| 23 years | $18,121 |
| 25 years | $20,934 |
Top Solar Installers in Northwood
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Companies can also have access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for you.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Northwood:
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Northwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northwood
The cost of installing a solar system in Northwood can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest 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 solar panels in Northwood, 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 usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $4,220 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Northwood to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Northwood, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $14,933 | 13.8 years |
| 8 kW | $4.30 | $24,105 | $20,383 | 13.5 years |
| 10 kW | $4.22 | $29,540 | $26,070 | 13.3 years |
| 12 kW | $4.14 | $34,739 | $31,993 | 13.0 years |
| 14 kW | $4.05 | $39,702 | $38,152 | 12.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.97 | $44,428 | $44,547 | 12.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.88 | $48,918 | $51,179 | 12.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.80 | $53,172 | $58,047 | 12.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Northwood, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panels, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Northwood, NH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Northwood?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-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 a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Northwood?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable 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.