Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mount Vernon, OH (2024 Update)

  • Mount Vernon Solar Installation Cost: $18,277
  • 25-Year Savings: $17,149
  • Payback Period: 14.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 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 Mount Vernon

We break down average solar pricing in Mount Vernon.

The average cost of a solar system in Mount Vernon is 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 7.7-kW system would cost about $18,277 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Mount Vernon depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Mount Vernon

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-17,056
3 years$-14,616
5 years$-12,176
7 years$-9,735
9 years$-7,295
11 years$-4,854
13 years$-2,414
15 years$27
17 years$2,467
19 years$4,908
21 years$7,348
23 years$9,789
25 years$12,229

Top Solar Installers in Mount Vernon

Installing solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another upside of utilizing a solar company is that they can help you maximize your investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.

Working with a vetted solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

See all of the solar companies in Mount Vernon

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mount Vernon

The cost of installing a solar system in Mount Vernon can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,410 per kilowatt in Mount Vernon.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Mount Vernon average.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Mount Vernon, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Mount Vernon homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can influence the cost. Mount Vernon’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.55$14,895$9,29615.4 years
8 kW$3.48$19,478$12,77615.1 years
10 kW$3.41$23,870$16,44714.8 years
12 kW$3.34$28,071$20,31014.5 years
14 kW$3.27$32,081$24,36314.2 years
16 kW$3.21$35,900$28,60713.9 years
18 kW$3.14$39,529$33,04313.6 years
20 kW$3.07$42,966$37,66913.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of companies to choose from in Mount Vernon, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
  • Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you choose.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Mount Vernon, OH Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Mount Vernon?

The average cost of solar panels in Mount Vernon 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 certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Are solar panels free in Mount Vernon?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Mount Vernon. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

How will solar panels impact the value of my home?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Mount Vernon is currently $218,410, so you can look forward to a value of about $8,955 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Mount Vernon is a worthwhile investment.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Even though 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 opt 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.