Solar Panel Cost Guide in Strafford, NH (2024 Update)
- Strafford Solar Installation Cost: $14,508
- 25-Year Savings: $16,172
- Payback Period: 13.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Strafford
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Strafford.
In Strafford, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Strafford is around 4.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,508 for a solar installation, or $20,746 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Strafford can save around $20,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Strafford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,101 |
| 3 years | $-10,287 |
| 5 years | $-7,474 |
| 7 years | $-4,660 |
| 9 years | $-1,846 |
| 11 years | $967 |
| 13 years | $3,781 |
| 15 years | $6,595 |
| 17 years | $9,408 |
| 19 years | $12,222 |
| 21 years | $15,035 |
| 23 years | $17,849 |
| 25 years | $20,663 |
Top Solar Installers in Strafford
Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. The expertise that solar companies provide can be helpful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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 $14,508, your actual 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 crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $4,220. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for 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. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Strafford average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Strafford, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to solar energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Strafford, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Strafford are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you 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 | $13,546 | 14.4 years |
| 8 kW | $4.30 | $24,105 | $18,534 | 14.1 years |
| 10 kW | $4.22 | $29,540 | $23,758 | 13.9 years |
| 12 kW | $4.14 | $34,739 | $29,218 | 13.6 years |
| 14 kW | $4.05 | $39,702 | $34,915 | 13.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.97 | $44,428 | $40,848 | 13.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.88 | $48,918 | $47,018 | 12.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.80 | $53,172 | $53,424 | 12.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Strafford?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.