Solar Panel Cost Guide in Nelsonville, OH (2023 Update)
- Nelsonville Solar Installation Cost: $13,443
- 25-Year Savings: $20,012
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Nelsonville
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Nelsonville.
In Nelsonville, solar panels cost about 2.56 per watt on average. Because a 7.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Nelsonville, the average price of going solar will be about $13,440 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more. With typical savings of about $17,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Nelsonville find installing solar panels can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in Nelsonville for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Nelsonville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,111 |
| 3 years | $-9,446 |
| 5 years | $-6,782 |
| 7 years | $-4,118 |
| 9 years | $-1,454 |
| 11 years | $1,210 |
| 13 years | $3,874 |
| 15 years | $6,538 |
| 17 years | $9,202 |
| 19 years | $11,866 |
| 21 years | $14,530 |
| 23 years | $17,194 |
| 25 years | $19,858 |
Top Solar Installers in Nelsonville
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra labor and knowledge. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Nelsonville:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Nelsonville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Nelsonville
For many Nelsonville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Nelsonville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,560. The brand and kind of equipment you get 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 limited roof space 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. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Nelsonville to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest. Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Nelsonville homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Nelsonville, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. The company's size can sometimes play the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $15,576 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $21,055 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $26,677 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $32,443 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $38,352 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $44,404 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $50,599 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $56,938 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Nelsonville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as 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
EcoWatch's Nelsonville, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Nelsonville?
The average cost of solar panels in Nelsonville 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 things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Nelsonville?
You can't get solar panels for free in Nelsonville. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How will having solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property's value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go 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 solar panels."
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 amount 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.