Solar Panel Cost Guide in Charlestown, RI (2024 Update)
- Charlestown Solar Installation Cost: $11,262
- 25-Year Savings: $14,088
- Payback Period: 12.8 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Charlestown
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Charlestown.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Charlestown typically cost around 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Charlestown, most homeowners require a 4.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,262, or $16,105 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Charlestown homeowner can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Charlestown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,731 |
| 3 years | $-6,669 |
| 5 years | $-3,607 |
| 7 years | $-545 |
| 9 years | $2,517 |
| 11 years | $5,579 |
| 13 years | $8,641 |
| 15 years | $11,703 |
| 17 years | $14,765 |
| 19 years | $17,827 |
| 21 years | $20,890 |
| 23 years | $23,952 |
| 25 years | $27,014 |
Top Solar Installers in Charlestown
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Local solar installers can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Charlestown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Charlestown
For many Charlestown homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Charlestown, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $4,070 per kilowatt in Charlestown.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Charlestown average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a popular option because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Charlestown, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have 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 | $4.23 | $17,778 | $15,534 | 13.3 years |
| 8 kW | $4.15 | $23,248 | $21,167 | 13.1 years |
| 10 kW | $4.07 | $28,490 | $27,029 | 12.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.99 | $33,504 | $33,119 | 12.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.91 | $38,291 | $39,436 | 12.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.83 | $42,849 | $45,982 | 12.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,179 | $52,755 | 11.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.66 | $51,282 | $59,756 | 11.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer various brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s necessary to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- 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 such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Charlestown, RI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Charlestown?
The average cost of solar panels in Charlestown is about $20,350 for a 5-kW system and $40,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Charlestown?
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 home 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.