Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bedford, OH (Jan 2023)
- Bedford Solar Installation Cost: $14,121
- 25-Year Savings: $12,788
- Payback Period: 13.1 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bedford
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Bedford.
In Bedford, solar panels cost about $3 per watt on average. The average Bedford homeowner needs a 7.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $14,121, or $10,450 after the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Even with the significant upfront cost, the average Bedford homeowner can save about $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bedford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,045 |
| 3 years | $-10,892 |
| 5 years | $-8,739 |
| 7 years | $-6,587 |
| 9 years | $-4,434 |
| 11 years | $-2,281 |
| 13 years | $-128 |
| 15 years | $2,024 |
| 17 years | $4,177 |
| 19 years | $6,330 |
| 21 years | $8,482 |
| 23 years | $10,635 |
| 25 years | $12,788 |
Top Solar Installers in Bedford
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be challenging. The expertise that solar companies offer can be useful as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're looking for a solar company in Bedford, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Bedford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bedford
There are several factors that can play into your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof 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 add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Bedford offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Bedford is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.66 | $11,182 | $9,314 | 13.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $12,705 | 13.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $16,240 | 13.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $19,918 | 12.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $23,740 | 12.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $27,705 | 12.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $31,813 | 12.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $36,064 | 11.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- 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 the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Bedford, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bedford?
The average cost of solar panels in Bedford is about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Bedford?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property 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.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Bedford?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future power bills.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage 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 get between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.