Solar Panel Cost Guide in Summerside, OH (2024 Update)
- Summerside Solar Installation Cost: $17,585
- 25-Year Savings: $10,987
- Payback Period: 18.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Summerside
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Summerside.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Summerside, the typical cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Summerside, most homeowners require a 7.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,585, or $25,147 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Summerside homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $12,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Summerside find installing solar panels can pay off big.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Summerside
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,420 |
| 3 years | $-14,090 |
| 5 years | $-11,760 |
| 7 years | $-9,430 |
| 9 years | $-7,100 |
| 11 years | $-4,770 |
| 13 years | $-2,440 |
| 15 years | $-110 |
| 17 years | $2,220 |
| 19 years | $4,550 |
| 21 years | $6,880 |
| 23 years | $9,210 |
| 25 years | $11,540 |
Top Solar Installers in Summerside
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be challenging. Companies can also offer access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for you.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Summerside:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- 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 Summerside
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Summerside
For many Summerside homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Summerside, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,410 per kilowatt in Summerside.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Summerside, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Summerside homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Summerside 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 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 keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Summerside, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Summerside are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, 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 | $3.55 | $14,895 | $4,805 | 18.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $6,789 | 18.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $8,964 | 18.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $11,329 | 17.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $13,886 | 17.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $16,633 | 17.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $19,572 | 16.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $22,701 | 16.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you go with.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Summerside, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Summerside?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Summerside?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford 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 savings from going solar.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Summerside, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.