Solar Panel Cost Guide in Berea, OH (2023 Update)
- Berea Solar Installation Cost: $14,121
- 25-Year Savings: $13,259
- Payback Period: 12.9 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Berea
We go over average solar pricing in Berea.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Berea it's 2.56 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.9-kW system would cost about $14,121 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you may vary based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with. Even with the large upfront cost, the average Berea homeowner can save about $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Berea that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Berea
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,026 |
| 3 years | $-10,835 |
| 5 years | $-8,645 |
| 7 years | $-6,455 |
| 9 years | $-4,264 |
| 11 years | $-2,074 |
| 13 years | $117 |
| 15 years | $2,307 |
| 17 years | $4,497 |
| 19 years | $6,688 |
| 21 years | $8,878 |
| 23 years | $11,069 |
| 25 years | $13,259 |
Top Solar Installers in Berea
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra time and handiness. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. A solar installer can also help save you money in the long run by providing warranties, repairs and component replacements.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost 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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Berea
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Berea
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Berea: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Berea, one of the most crucial 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 power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,560 for each additional kilowatt you need. The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions 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
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable route because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. It's wise to add 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 the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you pick will affect your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. Additionally, some companies in Berea 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 that service. 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 | $2.66 | $11,182 | $9,673 | 13.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $13,184 | 13.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $16,839 | 12.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $20,636 | 12.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $24,577 | 12.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $28,662 | 12.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $32,890 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $37,261 | 11.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things 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 secure and what the project timeline is.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Berea, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Berea?
The average cost of solar panels in Berea is about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Berea?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of 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.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can take a 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.