Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cortland, OH (2023 Update)
- Cortland Solar Installation Cost: $14,085
- 25-Year Savings: $12,352
- Payback Period: 13.3 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 Cortland
We go over average solar pricing in Cortland.
In Cortland, solar panels cost about 2.56 per watt on average. The average Cortland homeowner needs a 7.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $14,085 with the federal tax credit, or $20,142 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Cortland homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $13,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
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 Cortland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,028 |
| 3 years | $-10,913 |
| 5 years | $-8,798 |
| 7 years | $-6,683 |
| 9 years | $-4,568 |
| 11 years | $-2,453 |
| 13 years | $-338 |
| 15 years | $1,777 |
| 17 years | $3,892 |
| 19 years | $6,007 |
| 21 years | $8,122 |
| 23 years | $10,237 |
| 25 years | $12,352 |
Top Solar Installers in Cortland
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Taking advantage of a solar panel installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Another upside of working with a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and informing you of 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 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 Cortland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cortland
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Cortland: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power production use 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 panels and equipment you want is another factor that will considerably impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond 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's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Cortland have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar. It's a good idea to factor the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Cortland is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into 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 | $8,989 | 13.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $12,272 | 13.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $15,698 | 13.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $19,268 | 13.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $22,981 | 12.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $26,837 | 12.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $30,837 | 12.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $34,980 | 12.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like to install plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, be sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Cortland, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cortland?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.