Solar Panel Cost Guide in Summerside, OH (Feb 2023)
- Summerside Solar Installation Cost: $13,207
- 25-Year Savings: $10,981
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Summerside
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Summerside.
The average cost of a solar system in Summerside is $3 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Summerside is around 7.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,207 for a solar installation, or $9,773 after the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Summerside homeowners. The price 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. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average Summerside homeowners see about $12,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Summerside
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,240 |
| 3 years | $-10,304 |
| 5 years | $-8,369 |
| 7 years | $-6,434 |
| 9 years | $-4,499 |
| 11 years | $-2,564 |
| 13 years | $-629 |
| 15 years | $1,306 |
| 17 years | $3,241 |
| 19 years | $5,176 |
| 21 years | $7,111 |
| 23 years | $9,046 |
| 25 years | $10,981 |
Top Solar Installers in Summerside
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Going with a solar panel installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Summerside:
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 Summerside
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Summerside
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in Summerside: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,560. The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in Summerside, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Summerside homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. 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 installer you choose will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. Additionally, some companies in Summerside know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. 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 | $2.66 | $11,182 | $8,518 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $11,644 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $14,914 | 13.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $18,326 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $21,883 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $25,582 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $29,425 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $33,411 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: When reading through your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
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 Summerside, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Summerside?
The average cost of solar panels in Summerside 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 like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I 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 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Summerside?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much 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 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.