Solar Panel Cost Guide in Estacada, OR (2024 Update)
- Estacada Solar Installation Cost: $10,076
- 25-Year Savings: $14,805
- Payback Period: 11.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Estacada
We go over average solar pricing in Estacada.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Estacada it’s 4 per watt.Since a 4.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Estacada, the average price of going solar will be about $10,076 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Estacada homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the significant upfront cost, the average Estacada homeowner can save around $22,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Estacada
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,671 |
| 3 years | $-5,862 |
| 5 years | $-3,053 |
| 7 years | $-244 |
| 9 years | $2,565 |
| 11 years | $5,374 |
| 13 years | $8,183 |
| 15 years | $10,992 |
| 17 years | $13,802 |
| 19 years | $16,611 |
| 21 years | $19,420 |
| 23 years | $22,229 |
| 25 years | $25,038 |
Top Solar Installers in Estacada
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are various 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
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 Estacada
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Estacada
Although the average cost of a solar system in Estacada is $10,076, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,500.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise 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 Estacada, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Estacada, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $17,490 | 11.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.57 | $19,992 | $23,712 | 11.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.50 | $24,500 | $30,130 | 11.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.43 | $28,812 | $36,744 | 11.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.36 | $32,928 | $43,554 | 10.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.29 | $36,848 | $50,560 | 10.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.22 | $40,572 | $57,762 | 10.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.15 | $44,100 | $65,160 | 10.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will influence not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before deciding.
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 Estacada, OR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Estacada?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Estacada?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Estacada. However, you may still be able to install 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.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located 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 $1,092.60 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Estacada?
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 choose to replace them after having 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.