Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garfield Heights, OH (2024 Update)
- Garfield Heights Solar Installation Cost: $18,803
- 25-Year Savings: $16,162
- Payback Period: 15.5 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garfield Heights
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Garfield Heights.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Garfield Heights generally cost around 3.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Garfield Heights, most homeowners require a 7.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $18,803, or $26,888 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.With average savings of about $15,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Garfield Heights find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Garfield Heights that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Garfield Heights
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-17,549 |
3 years | $-15,041 |
5 years | $-12,534 |
7 years | $-10,026 |
9 years | $-7,518 |
11 years | $-5,011 |
13 years | $-2,503 |
15 years | $4 |
17 years | $2,512 |
19 years | $5,020 |
21 years | $7,527 |
23 years | $10,035 |
25 years | $12,542 |
Top Solar Installers in Garfield Heights
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be challenging. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Garfield Heights, optimizing your ROI.
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 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 Garfield Heights
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garfield Heights
There are several criteria that can determine your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,410.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Garfield Heights, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s crucial to include that in your estimate as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of renewable energy solutions in Garfield Heights, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $8,167 | 16.1 years |
8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $11,272 | 15.8 years |
10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $14,567 | 15.5 years |
12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $18,053 | 15.2 years |
14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $21,730 | 14.9 years |
16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $25,598 | 14.6 years |
18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $29,658 | 14.3 years |
20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $33,908 | 14.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to install plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance 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 mark of a good company.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Garfield Heights, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Garfield Heights?
The average cost of solar panels in Garfield Heights is about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like 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 Garfield Heights?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it commonly 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 option if you want to get the most savings.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $768.74 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.