Solar Panel Cost Guide in Seaside, OR (2024 Update)
- Seaside Solar Installation Cost: $10,791
- 25-Year Savings: $14,261
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Seaside
We break down average solar pricing in Seaside.
The average cost of a solar system in Seaside is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Seaside, most homeowners require a 4.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $10,791, or $15,431 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 Seaside homeowners. 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.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Seaside can save around $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Seaside
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,582 |
| 3 years | $-7,163 |
| 5 years | $-4,744 |
| 7 years | $-2,326 |
| 9 years | $93 |
| 11 years | $2,512 |
| 13 years | $4,930 |
| 15 years | $7,349 |
| 17 years | $9,767 |
| 19 years | $12,186 |
| 21 years | $14,605 |
| 23 years | $17,023 |
| 25 years | $19,442 |
Top Solar Installers in Seaside
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it takes extra energy and know-how. That's why most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Another advantage of utilizing a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Seaside, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Seaside
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Seaside
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Seaside: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Seaside, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your overall 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 get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Seaside average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Seaside to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can impact how much you pay. Seaside’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access 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 promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $15,318 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.57 | $19,992 | $20,816 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.50 | $24,500 | $26,510 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.43 | $28,812 | $32,400 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.36 | $32,928 | $38,486 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.29 | $36,848 | $44,768 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.22 | $40,572 | $51,246 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.15 | $44,100 | $57,920 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will affect not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which brand 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.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
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 Seaside, OR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Seaside?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Seaside?
Solar panels aren’t free in Seaside, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had 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.