Solar Panel Cost Guide in Westerville, OH (2024 Update)
- Westerville Solar Installation Cost: $18,098
- 25-Year Savings: $19,717
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Westerville
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Westerville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Westerville it’s 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Westerville is around 7.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $18,098 for a solar installation, or $25,880 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can be above or below the average in Westerville based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in Westerville for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Westerville
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-16,859 |
3 years | $-14,382 |
5 years | $-11,904 |
7 years | $-9,426 |
9 years | $-6,948 |
11 years | $-4,470 |
13 years | $-1,992 |
15 years | $486 |
17 years | $2,964 |
19 years | $5,442 |
21 years | $7,920 |
23 years | $10,398 |
25 years | $12,876 |
Top Solar Installers in Westerville
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a challenging project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you’re not certain what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 Westerville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Westerville
The cost of installing a solar system in Westerville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid choice because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Westerville, 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 Westerville know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. 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 | $11,460 | 14.1 years |
8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $15,662 | 13.9 years |
10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $20,055 | 13.6 years |
12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $24,638 | 13.3 years |
14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $29,413 | 13.0 years |
16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $34,379 | 12.8 years |
18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $39,536 | 12.5 years |
20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $44,883 | 12.2 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
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 Westerville, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Westerville?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Westerville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
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 should be disposed of 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.