Solar Panel Cost Guide in Strafford, NH (Mar 2023)
- Strafford Solar Installation Cost: $10,002
- 25-Year Savings: $16,174
- Payback Period: 9.6 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Strafford
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Strafford.
The average cost of solar panels in Strafford is 2.91 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Strafford is around 4.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $10,002 for a solar installation, or $14,303 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more. With typical savings of about $20,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Strafford find going solar has a decent ROI.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Strafford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,955 |
| 3 years | $-6,861 |
| 5 years | $-4,766 |
| 7 years | $-2,672 |
| 9 years | $-578 |
| 11 years | $1,516 |
| 13 years | $3,610 |
| 15 years | $5,704 |
| 17 years | $7,798 |
| 19 years | $9,892 |
| 21 years | $11,986 |
| 23 years | $14,080 |
| 25 years | $16,174 |
Top Solar Installers in Strafford
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Strafford, optimizing your ROI.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Strafford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Strafford
Although the average cost of a solar system in Strafford is $10,002, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,910 per kilowatt in Strafford. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Strafford, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable option because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. 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're only able to 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 finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Strafford is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for 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 | $19,268 | 9.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.97 | $16,622 | $26,016 | 9.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.91 | $20,370 | $32,928 | 9.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.85 | $23,955 | $40,002 | 9.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.79 | $27,377 | $47,240 | 9.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.74 | $30,636 | $54,640 | 9.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.68 | $33,733 | $62,203 | 8.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.62 | $36,666 | $69,930 | 8.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Strafford, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: When looking 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 part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the endurance of your solar system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
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 Strafford, NH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Strafford?
The average cost of solar panels in Strafford is about $14,550 for a 5-kW system and $29,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Strafford?
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 home 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.
Does Strafford have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.