Solar Panel Cost Guide in Painesville, OH (Mar 2023)
- Painesville Solar Installation Cost: $13,978
- 25-Year Savings: $15,152
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Painesville
We break down average solar pricing in Painesville.
In Painesville, solar panels cost about 2.56 per watt on average. The average Painesville homeowner needs a 7.8-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,978 with the federal tax credit, or $19,989 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Painesville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,812 |
| 3 years | $-10,482 |
| 5 years | $-8,152 |
| 7 years | $-5,821 |
| 9 years | $-3,491 |
| 11 years | $-1,160 |
| 13 years | $1,170 |
| 15 years | $3,500 |
| 17 years | $5,831 |
| 19 years | $8,161 |
| 21 years | $10,492 |
| 23 years | $12,822 |
| 25 years | $15,152 |
Top Solar Installers in Painesville
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. In addition, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Painesville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Painesville
There are a number of factors that can determine your solar panel 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. 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 average energy use. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Painesville to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably 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 financing options, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panel system can impact how much you pay. Painesville's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $11,216 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $15,242 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $19,411 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $23,723 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $28,179 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $32,778 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $37,520 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $42,406 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you'd like to install plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 previous customers.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
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 Painesville, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Painesville?
The average cost of solar panels in Painesville 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 stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Painesville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Painesville?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
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 needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.