Solar Panel Cost Guide in Baker City, OR (2024 Update)
- Baker City Solar Installation Cost: $9,432
- 25-Year Savings: $15,294
- Payback Period: 10.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Baker City
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Baker City.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Baker City typically cost about 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Baker City, most homeowners require a 3.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $9,432, or $13,488 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Baker City homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $23,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Baker City find going solar has a decent ROI.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Baker City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,400 |
| 3 years | $-6,337 |
| 5 years | $-4,274 |
| 7 years | $-2,210 |
| 9 years | $-147 |
| 11 years | $1,916 |
| 13 years | $3,980 |
| 15 years | $6,043 |
| 17 years | $8,106 |
| 19 years | $10,170 |
| 21 years | $12,233 |
| 23 years | $14,296 |
| 25 years | $16,359 |
Top Solar Installers in Baker City
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it requires extra labor and expertise. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
Working with a vetted solar installer 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 Baker City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Baker City
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Baker City is $9,432, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 over time on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Baker City average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Baker City homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Baker City, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Baker City have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage 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 | $3.64 | $15,288 | $19,727 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.57 | $19,992 | $26,695 | 10.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.50 | $24,500 | $33,859 | 10.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.43 | $28,812 | $41,218 | 10.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.36 | $32,928 | $48,774 | 10.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.29 | $36,848 | $56,526 | 9.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.22 | $40,572 | $64,473 | 9.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.15 | $44,100 | $72,617 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
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 Baker City, OR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Baker City?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Baker City?
Solar panels aren’t free in Baker City, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Baker City, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.