Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fairfield, OH (2024 Update)

  • Fairfield Solar Installation Cost: $17,691
  • 25-Year Savings: $16,380
  • Payback Period: 14.9 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Fairfield

See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Fairfield.

In Fairfield, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average Fairfield homeowner needs a 7.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,691 with the federal tax credit, or $25,298 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Fairfield see about $15,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Fairfield that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Fairfield

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-16,526
3 years$-14,196
5 years$-11,867
7 years$-9,537
9 years$-7,207
11 years$-4,877
13 years$-2,547
15 years$-217
17 years$2,113
19 years$4,443
21 years$6,773
23 years$9,103
25 years$11,433

Top Solar Installers in Fairfield

Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be challenging. A solar company can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.

Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Fairfield

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fairfield

There are several criteria that can play into your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Fairfield, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,410 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Fairfield homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Fairfield homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Fairfield is the company you get to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Companies that 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 find 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 sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.55$14,895$9,11715.5 years
8 kW$3.48$19,478$12,53815.2 years
10 kW$3.41$23,870$16,15014.9 years
12 kW$3.34$28,071$19,95314.6 years
14 kW$3.27$32,081$23,94614.3 years
16 kW$3.21$35,900$28,13114.0 years
18 kW$3.14$39,529$32,50713.7 years
20 kW$3.07$42,966$37,07313.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies available in Fairfield, 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: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Fairfield, OH Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 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 higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?

The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

How will solar panels impact the value of my home?

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

How long do solar panels last in Fairfield?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.