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

  • Pelham 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Pelham

See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Pelham.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Pelham it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Pelham, most homeowners require a 5.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $14,627, or $20,917 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

To receive a free estimate from a top solar installation company in Pelham, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Pelham

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 Pelham

Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Pelham, thereby optimizing your ROI.

You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:

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 Pelham

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pelham

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Pelham: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 over time on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Pelham average.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Pelham provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Pelham, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car 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 $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

The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:

  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • 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 the company going out of business.
  • Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.

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 Pelham, NH Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pelham?

The average cost of solar panels in Pelham is about $21,100 for a 5-kW system and $42,200 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Pelham?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of 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.

How will having solar panels impact the value of my home?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Pelham is currently $605,367, which means you could be looking at a value of about $24,820 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Pelham is a fruitful investment.

How long do solar panels last in Pelham?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.

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.

Follow us