Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sweet Home, OR (2024 Update)
- Sweet Home Solar Installation Cost: $10,061
- 25-Year Savings: $14,816
- Payback Period: 11.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sweet Home
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Sweet Home.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Sweet Home typically cost around 4.The average Sweet Home homeowner needs a 4.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $10,061 with the federal tax credit, or $14,387 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs will most likely differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Sweet Home can save around $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in Sweet Home for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Sweet Home
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,852 |
| 3 years | $-6,433 |
| 5 years | $-4,015 |
| 7 years | $-1,596 |
| 9 years | $822 |
| 11 years | $3,241 |
| 13 years | $5,660 |
| 15 years | $8,078 |
| 17 years | $10,497 |
| 19 years | $12,916 |
| 21 years | $15,334 |
| 23 years | $17,753 |
| 25 years | $20,171 |
Top Solar Installers in Sweet Home
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra labor and handiness. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment you need.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Sweet Home:
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 Sweet Home
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sweet Home
The cost of installing a solar system in Sweet Home 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 your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Sweet Home, 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 consumption, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,500 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Sweet Home to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s vital to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you pick will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to more 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 lower 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 | $17,537 | 11.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.57 | $19,992 | $23,775 | 11.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.50 | $24,500 | $30,209 | 11.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.43 | $28,812 | $36,838 | 11.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.36 | $32,928 | $43,664 | 10.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.29 | $36,848 | $50,686 | 10.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.22 | $40,572 | $57,904 | 10.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.15 | $44,100 | $65,317 | 10.1 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 decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- 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: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
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 Sweet Home, OR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sweet Home?
The average cost of solar panels in Sweet Home 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 certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Sweet Home?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Sweet Home?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity 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 needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually 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.