Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carson City, NV (2024 Update)
- Carson City Solar Installation Cost: $13,086
- 25-Year Savings: $19,287
- Payback Period: 10.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Carson City
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Carson City.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Carson City it’s 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Carson City is around 6.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,086 for a solar installation, or $18,713 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will most likely differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in Carson City see about $19,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in Carson City for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Carson City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,914 |
| 3 years | $-9,572 |
| 5 years | $-7,229 |
| 7 years | $-4,886 |
| 9 years | $-2,544 |
| 11 years | $-201 |
| 13 years | $2,142 |
| 15 years | $4,485 |
| 17 years | $6,827 |
| 19 years | $9,170 |
| 21 years | $11,513 |
| 23 years | $13,855 |
| 25 years | $16,198 |
Top Solar Installers in Carson City
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance in the long run.
If you're searching for a solar company in Carson City, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Carson City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carson City
The cost of installing a solar system in Carson City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important 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 electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,080 per kilowatt in Carson City.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Carson City, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Carson City have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Carson City, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price 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 find a company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into 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 | $3.20 | $13,453 | $16,197 | 11.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.14 | $17,593 | $21,941 | 11.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.08 | $21,560 | $27,857 | 10.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.02 | $25,355 | $33,946 | 10.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.96 | $28,977 | $40,207 | 10.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.90 | $32,426 | $46,641 | 10.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.83 | $35,703 | $53,247 | 10.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.77 | $38,808 | $60,026 | 9.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s necessary to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the project timeline.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Carson City, NV Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Carson City?
The average cost of solar panels in Carson City is about $15,400 for a 5-kW system and $30,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Carson City?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Does Carson City have a net metering program?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.