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

  • Portsmouth Solar Installation Cost: $14,236
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,934
  • Payback Period: 14.2 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 Portsmouth

Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Portsmouth.

In Portsmouth, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Portsmouth, most homeowners require a 4.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,236, or $20,357 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs may vary based on your specific situation and what company you 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 $20,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long term with their warranties, repair services and expert design.

Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:

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 Portsmouth

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Portsmouth

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

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Portsmouth, one of the most important 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 usage, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $4,220 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Portsmouth, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Portsmouth, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Portsmouth are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.

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 $12,692 14.8 years
8 kW $4.30 $24,105 $17,396 14.5 years
10 kW $4.22 $29,540 $22,336 14.2 years
12 kW $4.14 $34,739 $27,512 14.0 years
14 kW $4.05 $39,702 $32,924 13.7 years
16 kW $3.97 $44,428 $38,573 13.4 years
18 kW $3.88 $48,918 $44,458 13.1 years
20 kW $3.80 $53,172 $50,579 12.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the brand of solar panels and the company you choose considerably influences your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
  • Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before making your decision.

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 Portsmouth, NH Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Portsmouth 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 things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Are solar panels free in Portsmouth?

Solar panels aren’t free in Portsmouth, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.

Is it worth going solar in Portsmouth?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount 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.

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