Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Jefferson, OH (2023 Update)
- West Jefferson Solar Installation Cost: $13,362
- 25-Year Savings: $14,996
- Payback Period: 11.8 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Jefferson
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in West Jefferson.
In West Jefferson, solar panels cost about 2.56 per watt on average. Because a 7.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in West Jefferson, the average price of going solar will be about $13,368 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in West Jefferson depending on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Despite the significant upfront cost, the average West Jefferson homeowner can save about $14,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in West Jefferson for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in West Jefferson
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,267 |
| 3 years | $-13,078 |
| 5 years | $-12,889 |
| 7 years | $-12,700 |
| 9 years | $-12,511 |
| 11 years | $-12,322 |
| 13 years | $-12,133 |
| 15 years | $-11,944 |
| 17 years | $-11,755 |
| 19 years | $-11,566 |
| 21 years | $-11,377 |
| 23 years | $-11,188 |
| 25 years | $-10,999 |
Top Solar Installers in West Jefferson
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in West Jefferson
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Jefferson
The cost of installing a solar system in West Jefferson can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $2,560. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like West Jefferson, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in West Jefferson, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for West Jefferson 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 avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in West Jefferson, 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 West Jefferson know more about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, 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 | $2.66 | $11,182 | $11,636 | 12.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $15,802 | 12.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $20,111 | 11.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $24,563 | 11.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $29,158 | 11.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $33,897 | 11.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $38,780 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $43,805 | 10.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in West Jefferson, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's West Jefferson, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in West Jefferson?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, 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 West Jefferson?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $760.61 per year.
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to 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.