Solar Panel Cost Guide in Prairie, OH (2023 Update)
- Prairie Solar Installation Cost: $13,524
- 25-Year Savings: $16,386
- Payback Period: 11.3 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Prairie
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Prairie.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Prairie typically cost about 2.56. Since a 7.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Prairie, the average price of going solar will be about $13,530 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Prairie homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With average savings of about $15,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Prairie find investing in solar can pay off big.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Prairie
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,299 |
| 3 years | $-9,850 |
| 5 years | $-7,401 |
| 7 years | $-4,952 |
| 9 years | $-2,504 |
| 11 years | $-55 |
| 13 years | $2,394 |
| 15 years | $4,843 |
| 17 years | $7,292 |
| 19 years | $9,741 |
| 21 years | $12,190 |
| 23 years | $14,639 |
| 25 years | $17,088 |
Top Solar Installers in Prairie
When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since handling can be a difficult project. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you aren't sure what kind of solar equipment you need.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Prairie
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Prairie
For many Prairie homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Prairie, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Prairie, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,560 for each additional kilowatt you need. 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 get 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 over time on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Prairie average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Prairie, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Prairie homeowners, they can also increase 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
The solar company you pick will impact your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower 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 | $12,598 | 11.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $17,084 | 11.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $21,713 | 11.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $26,485 | 11.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $31,401 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $36,461 | 10.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $41,664 | 10.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $47,010 | 10.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Prairie, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before making your decision.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Prairie, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Prairie?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Prairie?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to 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.
Does Prairie have a net metering program?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.