Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rockcreek, OR (2024 Update)
- Rockcreek Solar Installation Cost: $10,677
- 25-Year Savings: $14,347
- Payback Period: 11.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rockcreek
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Rockcreek.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Rockcreek, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average Rockcreek homeowner needs a 4.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $10,677 with the federal tax credit, or $15,268 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Rockcreek based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Rockcreek can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Rockcreek
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,273 |
| 3 years | $-6,464 |
| 5 years | $-3,655 |
| 7 years | $-845 |
| 9 years | $1,964 |
| 11 years | $4,773 |
| 13 years | $7,582 |
| 15 years | $10,391 |
| 17 years | $13,200 |
| 19 years | $16,009 |
| 21 years | $18,818 |
| 23 years | $21,627 |
| 25 years | $24,436 |
Top Solar Installers in Rockcreek
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Rockcreek, the EcoWatch team has put together 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 Rockcreek
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rockcreek
For many Rockcreek homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Rockcreek, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power generation require better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase 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 increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Rockcreek to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.It’s wise to factor 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 solar installer you choose will affect your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car 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 | $15,643 | 12.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.57 | $19,992 | $21,250 | 12.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.50 | $24,500 | $27,052 | 11.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.43 | $28,812 | $33,051 | 11.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.36 | $32,928 | $39,245 | 11.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.29 | $36,848 | $45,636 | 11.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.22 | $40,572 | $52,222 | 10.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.15 | $44,100 | $59,005 | 10.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
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 Rockcreek, OR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rockcreek?
The average cost of solar panels in Rockcreek is about $17,500 for a 5-kW system and $35,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will having solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Rockcreek is currently $636,419, so you could be looking at a value of about $26,093 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Rockcreek is a fruitful investment.
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 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 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.