Solar Panel Cost Guide in Winchester, NH (2023 Update)
- Winchester Solar Installation Cost: $10,177
- 25-Year Savings: $14,823
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Winchester
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Winchester.
In Winchester, solar panels cost about 2.91 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Winchester, most homeowners require a 5.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $10,185, or $14,565 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Winchester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,770 |
| 3 years | $-5,957 |
| 5 years | $-3,143 |
| 7 years | $-329 |
| 9 years | $2,484 |
| 11 years | $5,298 |
| 13 years | $8,112 |
| 15 years | $10,925 |
| 17 years | $13,739 |
| 19 years | $16,553 |
| 21 years | $19,366 |
| 23 years | $22,180 |
| 25 years | $24,994 |
Top Solar Installers in Winchester
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a dangerous undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you aren't sure what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a licensed 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 Winchester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Winchester
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Winchester: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power generation require better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,910. The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Winchester to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest. When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Winchester is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is 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 | $17,313 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.97 | $16,622 | $23,410 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.91 | $20,370 | $29,670 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.85 | $23,955 | $36,093 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.79 | $27,377 | $42,679 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.74 | $30,636 | $49,428 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.68 | $33,733 | $56,339 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.62 | $36,666 | $63,414 | 9.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the durability of your solar panels, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask questions 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
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 Winchester, NH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Winchester?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $14,550 for a 5-kW system and $29,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Winchester?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Does Winchester have a net metering program?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.