Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gladstone, OR (2024 Update)
- Gladstone 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 Gladstone
We break down average solar pricing in Gladstone.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Gladstone it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Gladstone, most homeowners require a 4.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $10,076, or $14,409 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Gladstone depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With average savings of about $22,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Gladstone find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Gladstone
| 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 Gladstone
Installing solar panels on your own can be a challenging project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Gladstone
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gladstone
The cost of installing a solar system in Gladstone can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Gladstone, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Gladstone to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Gladstone homeowners, they can also add to 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 cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Gladstone, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to install plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies provide 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 Gladstone, OR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Gladstone?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Does Gladstone have a net metering program?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.