Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bowling Green, OH (2025 Update)
- Bowling Green Solar Installation Cost: $18,271
- 25-Year Savings: $18,906
- Payback Period: 14.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bowling Green
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Bowling Green.
The average cost of a solar system in Bowling Green is 3 per watt.The average Bowling Green homeowner needs a 7.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $18,271 with the federal tax credit, or $26,128 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Bowling Green depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find going solar is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Bowling Green can save around $16,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bowling Green
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,826 |
| 3 years | $-13,938 |
| 5 years | $-11,049 |
| 7 years | $-8,161 |
| 9 years | $-5,273 |
| 11 years | $-2,384 |
| 13 years | $504 |
| 15 years | $3,393 |
| 17 years | $6,281 |
| 19 years | $9,170 |
| 21 years | $12,058 |
| 23 years | $14,947 |
| 25 years | $17,835 |
Top Solar Installers in Bowling Green
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it takes extra effort and knowledge. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over time.
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
See all of the solar companies in Bowling Green
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bowling Green
For many Bowling Green homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Bowling Green, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
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 energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,410 per kilowatt in Bowling Green.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Bowling Green, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bowling Green to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.It’s a good idea to factor 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 back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Bowling Green, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various 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 choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $3.55 | $14,895 | $10,677 | 14.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $14,618 | 14.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $18,749 | 14.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $23,072 | 13.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $27,586 | 13.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $32,290 | 13.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $37,186 | 12.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $42,273 | 12.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- 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 good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Bowling Green, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Bowling Green?
The average cost of solar panels in Bowling Green is about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Bowling Green?
Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.