Solar Panel Cost Guide in Steubenville, OH (Mar 2023)
- Steubenville Solar Installation Cost: $13,924
- 25-Year Savings: $15,830
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Steubenville
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Steubenville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Steubenville it's 2.56 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Steubenville is around 7.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,924 for a solar installation, or $19,911 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The actual cost of installing solar panels can vary quite a bit based on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. With typical savings of about $15,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Steubenville find going solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in Steubenville for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Steubenville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,734 |
| 3 years | $-10,353 |
| 5 years | $-7,973 |
| 7 years | $-5,593 |
| 9 years | $-3,212 |
| 11 years | $-832 |
| 13 years | $1,548 |
| 15 years | $3,929 |
| 17 years | $6,309 |
| 19 years | $8,689 |
| 21 years | $11,070 |
| 23 years | $13,450 |
| 25 years | $15,830 |
Top Solar Installers in Steubenville
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your family.
Working with a licensed solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Steubenville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Steubenville
Though the average cost of a solar system in Steubenville is $13,924, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. 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 consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Steubenville, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,560 for each additional kilowatt you need. The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Steubenville average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Steubenville to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest. While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Steubenville homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. 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 take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Steubenville, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Steubenville know more about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. 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 | $11,793 | 12.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $16,010 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $20,371 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $24,875 | 11.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $29,523 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $34,314 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $39,248 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $44,326 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power 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 what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want to get plays a part in which installer you should go with, 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 make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven 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 good reviews from previous customers.
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 Steubenville, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Steubenville?
The average cost of solar panels in Steubenville 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 stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Steubenville?
Solar panels aren't free in Steubenville, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?
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 $765.82 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Steubenville?
Though 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.