Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oberlin, OH (2024 Update)

  • Oberlin Solar Installation Cost: $16,893
  • 25-Year Savings: $17,750
  • Payback Period: 13.9 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

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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 Oberlin

Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Oberlin.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Oberlin typically cost around 3.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Oberlin, most homeowners require a 7.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,893, or $24,157 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The true price you pay can be above or below the average in Oberlin depending on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With typical savings of about $16,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Oberlin find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.

To receive a free quote from a highly rated solar company in Oberlin, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Oberlin

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,673
3 years $-13,233
5 years $-10,792
7 years $-8,352
9 years $-5,911
11 years $-3,471
13 years $-1,030
15 years $1,410
17 years $3,851
19 years $6,291
21 years $8,732
23 years $11,172
25 years $13,612

Top Solar Installers in Oberlin

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Plus, if you’re not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Oberlin:

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 Oberlin

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oberlin

There are a number of criteria that can affect 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

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,410 per kilowatt in Oberlin.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Oberlin average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Oberlin is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Additionally, some companies in Oberlin are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about 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 end up saving you 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 $3.55 $14,895 $10,905 14.4 years
8 kW $3.48 $19,478 $14,922 14.2 years
10 kW $3.41 $23,870 $19,130 13.9 years
12 kW $3.34 $28,071 $23,529 13.6 years
14 kW $3.27 $32,081 $28,119 13.3 years
16 kW $3.21 $35,900 $32,900 13.0 years
18 kW $3.14 $39,529 $37,871 12.8 years
20 kW $3.07 $42,966 $43,034 12.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar company you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, including:

  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
  • Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.

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 Oberlin, OH Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Oberlin?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

How will installing solar panels impact my home value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.

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