Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northgate, OH (Mar 2023)
- Northgate Solar Installation Cost: $13,243
- 25-Year Savings: $17,724
- Payback Period: 10.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northgate
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Northgate.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Northgate it's 2.56 per watt. The average Northgate homeowner needs a 7.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,243 with the federal tax credit, or $18,937 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Northgate based on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. With average savings of about $16,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Northgate find installing solar panels can pay off big.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Northgate
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,004 |
| 3 years | $-9,527 |
| 5 years | $-7,049 |
| 7 years | $-4,572 |
| 9 years | $-2,095 |
| 11 years | $383 |
| 13 years | $2,860 |
| 15 years | $5,337 |
| 17 years | $7,815 |
| 19 years | $10,292 |
| 21 years | $12,769 |
| 23 years | $15,247 |
| 25 years | $17,724 |
Top Solar Installers in Northgate
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. The payback period on a solar system will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy usage, but going with a solar company can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Northgate
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northgate
While the average cost of a solar system in Northgate is $13,243, your actual cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Northgate to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Northgate, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Northgate know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $13,966 | 11.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $18,908 | 10.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $23,993 | 10.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $29,221 | 10.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $34,593 | 10.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $40,109 | 10.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $45,767 | 9.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $51,570 | 9.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Northgate, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Northgate?
The average cost of solar panels in Northgate is about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?
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 $838.26 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.