Solar Panel Cost Guide in Howland Center, OH (2024 Update)
- Howland Center Solar Installation Cost: $18,771
- 25-Year Savings: $12,345
- Payback Period: 17.8 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 Howland Center
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Howland Center.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Howland Center it’s 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 7.9-kW system would cost about $18,771 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $13,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Howland Center find going solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Howland Center
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,551 |
| 3 years | $-15,111 |
| 5 years | $-12,670 |
| 7 years | $-10,230 |
| 9 years | $-7,789 |
| 11 years | $-5,349 |
| 13 years | $-2,908 |
| 15 years | $-468 |
| 17 years | $1,972 |
| 19 years | $4,413 |
| 21 years | $6,853 |
| 23 years | $9,294 |
| 25 years | $11,734 |
Top Solar Installers in Howland Center
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra effort and expertise. For that reason, most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies offer can be valuable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Howland Center
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Howland Center
For many Howland Center homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Howland Center, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Howland Center, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar system can play a role in determining how much it costs. Howland Center’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 | $3.55 | $14,895 | $5,276 | 18.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $7,416 | 18.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $9,748 | 17.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $12,270 | 17.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $14,984 | 17.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $17,888 | 16.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $20,983 | 16.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $24,270 | 16.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly influences your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two 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 good reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels 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 mark of a quality company.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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 Howland Center, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Howland Center?
The average cost of solar panels in Howland Center 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 model 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 Howland Center?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it usually 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last 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.