Solar Panel Cost Guide in Claibourne, OH (Mar 2023)

  • Claibourne Solar Installation Cost: $13,601
  • 25-Year Savings: $16,383
  • Payback Period: 11.3 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Claibourne

We go over average solar pricing in Claibourne.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Claibourne it's 2.56 per watt. Since a 7.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Claibourne, the average price of going solar will be about $13,601 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.

The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Claibourne depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Despite the large upfront cost, the average Claibourne homeowner can save about $15,000 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 installer in Claibourne that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Claibourne

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-12,402
3 years $-10,003
5 years $-7,604
7 years $-5,206
9 years $-2,807
11 years $-408
13 years $1,991
15 years $4,390
17 years $6,788
19 years $9,187
21 years $11,586
23 years $13,985
25 years $16,383

Top Solar Installers in Claibourne

Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra effort and expertise. That's one of the reasons the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Another benefit of using a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your return of investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Claibourne

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Claibourne

Even though the average cost of a solar system in Claibourne is $13,601, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,560. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Claibourne average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Claibourne to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest. Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Claibourne homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installation company you pick will affect your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. 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 cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that has 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 $12,514 11.8 years
8 kW $2.61 $14,623 $16,972 11.6 years
10 kW $2.56 $17,920 $21,574 11.3 years
12 kW $2.51 $21,074 $26,318 11.1 years
14 kW $2.46 $24,084 $31,207 10.9 years
16 kW $2.41 $26,952 $36,238 10.7 years
18 kW $2.36 $29,676 $41,413 10.4 years
20 kW $2.30 $32,256 $46,731 10.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are numerous companies available in Claibourne, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a quality company.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Claibourne, OH Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Claibourne?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Claibourne?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

How will having solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.

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