Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bellefontaine, OH (Mar 2023)
- Bellefontaine Solar Installation Cost: $13,548
- 25-Year Savings: $18,495
- Payback Period: 10.6 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bellefontaine
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Bellefontaine.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Bellefontaine typically cost about 2.56. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Bellefontaine, most homeowners require a 7.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $13,548, or $19,374 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely differ based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with. With average savings of about $16,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Bellefontaine find installing solar panels can pay off big.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bellefontaine
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,266 |
| 3 years | $-9,702 |
| 5 years | $-7,139 |
| 7 years | $-4,576 |
| 9 years | $-2,012 |
| 11 years | $551 |
| 13 years | $3,114 |
| 15 years | $5,678 |
| 17 years | $8,241 |
| 19 years | $10,805 |
| 21 years | $13,368 |
| 23 years | $15,931 |
| 25 years | $18,495 |
Top Solar Installers in Bellefontaine
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be challenging. A solar company can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and component replacements.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Bellefontaine
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bellefontaine
The cost of installing a solar system in Bellefontaine can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Bellefontaine, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,560 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Bellefontaine, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Bellefontaine, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Bellefontaine homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Bellefontaine, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. 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 go with the company that provides 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 | $2.66 | $11,182 | $14,237 | 11.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $19,269 | 10.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $24,445 | 10.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $29,764 | 10.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $35,227 | 10.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $40,832 | 9.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $46,581 | 9.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $52,474 | 9.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will be a major factor in determining not only your overall 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 take into account, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which kind 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 peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system 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.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
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 Bellefontaine, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bellefontaine?
The average cost of solar panels in Bellefontaine 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 things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Bellefontaine?
You can't get solar panels for free in Bellefontaine. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How long do solar panels last in Bellefontaine?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.