Solar Panel Cost Guide in Albany, OR (2024 Update)
- Albany Solar Installation Cost: $10,147
- 25-Year Savings: $14,751
- Payback Period: 11.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Albany
We break down average solar pricing in Albany.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Albany generally cost about 4.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Albany, most homeowners require a 4.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $10,147, or $14,510 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 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 needs, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Albany can save around $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To receive a free quote from a vetted solar installation company in Albany, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Albany
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,938 |
| 3 years | $-6,519 |
| 5 years | $-4,100 |
| 7 years | $-1,682 |
| 9 years | $737 |
| 11 years | $3,156 |
| 13 years | $5,574 |
| 15 years | $7,993 |
| 17 years | $10,411 |
| 19 years | $12,830 |
| 21 years | $15,249 |
| 23 years | $17,667 |
| 25 years | $20,086 |
Top Solar Installers in Albany
Trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a challenging project, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy needs, but working with a solar installer can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Albany, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Albany
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Albany
For many Albany homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Albany, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Albany, 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 usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,500 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Albany average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Albany homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Albany homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Albany is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.64 | $15,288 | $17,260 | 11.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.57 | $19,992 | $23,406 | 11.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.50 | $24,500 | $29,747 | 11.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.43 | $28,812 | $36,285 | 11.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.36 | $32,928 | $43,018 | 10.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.29 | $36,848 | $49,947 | 10.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.22 | $40,572 | $57,073 | 10.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.15 | $44,100 | $64,394 | 10.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable 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.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Albany, OR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Albany?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,500 for a 5-kW system and $35,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Albany?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Albany. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Does Albany have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though 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 their energy production 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.