Solar Panel Cost Guide in Trotwood, OH (2024 Update)
- Trotwood Solar Installation Cost: $17,915
- 25-Year Savings: $9,027
- Payback Period: 19.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Trotwood
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Trotwood.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Trotwood it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Trotwood, most homeowners require a 7.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,915, or $25,618 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.Even with the significant initial cost, the average Trotwood homeowner can save about $11,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
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 Trotwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,897 |
| 3 years | $-14,860 |
| 5 years | $-12,823 |
| 7 years | $-10,787 |
| 9 years | $-8,750 |
| 11 years | $-6,714 |
| 13 years | $-4,677 |
| 15 years | $-2,640 |
| 17 years | $-604 |
| 19 years | $1,433 |
| 21 years | $3,469 |
| 23 years | $5,506 |
| 25 years | $7,543 |
Top Solar Installers in Trotwood
When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Companies can also offer access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for you.
Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Trotwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Trotwood
Although the average cost of a solar system in Trotwood is $17,915, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Trotwood, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,410 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Trotwood, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Trotwood to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s crucial to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you select will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $3,074 | 20.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $4,480 | 20.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $6,078 | 19.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $7,866 | 19.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $9,846 | 19.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $12,016 | 18.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $14,377 | 18.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $16,930 | 17.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar energy system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Trotwood, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Trotwood?
The average cost of solar panels in Trotwood is about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Trotwood is currently $115,146, so you could be looking at a value of about $4,721 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Trotwood is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 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.