Solar Panel Cost Guide in Crane, OH (Mar 2023)
- Crane Solar Installation Cost: $13,763
- 25-Year Savings: $17,505
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Crane
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Crane.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Crane, the average cost of solar panels is 2.56 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Crane is around 7.7 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,763 for a solar installation, or $19,681 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. Despite the high upfront cost, the average Crane homeowner can save around $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in Crane for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Crane
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,512 |
| 3 years | $-10,010 |
| 5 years | $-7,509 |
| 7 years | $-5,008 |
| 9 years | $-2,506 |
| 11 years | $-5 |
| 13 years | $2,497 |
| 15 years | $4,998 |
| 17 years | $7,500 |
| 19 years | $10,001 |
| 21 years | $12,502 |
| 23 years | $15,004 |
| 25 years | $17,505 |
Top Solar Installers in Crane
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Crane
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Crane
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Crane: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $2,560. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Crane average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to clean energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Crane, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $13,248 | 11.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $17,951 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $22,797 | 11.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $27,787 | 10.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $32,920 | 10.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $38,196 | 10.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $43,616 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $49,179 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Crane, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: If you're worried about the endurance of your solar panels, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
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 Crane, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Crane?
The average cost of solar panels in Crane 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 stuff such as the type 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 Crane?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or get 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.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $814.35 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Crane?
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 opt to replace them after having 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.