Solar Panel Cost Guide in Waynesville, OH (Mar 2023)
- Waynesville Solar Installation Cost: $13,332
- 25-Year Savings: $10,000
- Payback Period: 14.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Waynesville
We go over average solar pricing in Waynesville.
In Waynesville, solar panels cost about 2.56 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Waynesville, most homeowners require a 7.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $13,332, or $19,065 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Waynesville can save about $12,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in your area for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Waynesville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,399 |
| 3 years | $-10,533 |
| 5 years | $-8,666 |
| 7 years | $-6,799 |
| 9 years | $-4,933 |
| 11 years | $-3,066 |
| 13 years | $-1,200 |
| 15 years | $667 |
| 17 years | $2,534 |
| 19 years | $4,400 |
| 21 years | $6,267 |
| 23 years | $8,133 |
| 25 years | $10,000 |
Top Solar Installers in Waynesville
Putting up solar panels by yourself can be a difficult undertaking, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long run because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 Waynesville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Waynesville
There are several criteria that can influence your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Waynesville, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,560 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Waynesville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited 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 Waynesville to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining how much you pay. Waynesville's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have 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 | $2.66 | $11,182 | $7,644 | 14.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $10,478 | 14.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $13,456 | 14.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $16,578 | 14.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $19,842 | 13.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $23,250 | 13.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $26,802 | 13.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $30,496 | 12.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to read it through carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which kind 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 offerings before making your decision.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 Waynesville, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Waynesville?
The average cost of solar panels in Waynesville is about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location 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 $627.52 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.