Solar Panel Cost Guide in Johnston, RI (Jul 2022)
- Johnston Solar Installation Cost: $8,743
- 25-Year Savings: $13,204
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
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Updated 7/19/2022
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Johnston
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Johnston.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Johnston it's $3 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Johnston is around 4.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $8,743 for a solar installation, or $6,470 after the federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Johnston homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $20,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Johnston find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Johnston that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Johnston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,865 |
| 3 years | $-6,109 |
| 5 years | $-4,353 |
| 7 years | $-2,598 |
| 9 years | $-842 |
| 11 years | $914 |
| 13 years | $2,670 |
| 15 years | $4,425 |
| 17 years | $6,181 |
| 19 years | $7,937 |
| 21 years | $9,693 |
| 23 years | $11,448 |
| 25 years | $13,204 |
Top Solar Installers in Johnston
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to go with a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Plus, if you're unsure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Johnston:
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 Johnston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Johnston
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Johnston: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment Size
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Johnston, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,840 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable option because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. It's wise to include 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 last major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Johnston, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies usually 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 | $2.95 | $13,114 | $18,518 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.90 | $17,149 | $25,027 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.84 | $21,016 | $31,704 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.78 | $24,715 | $38,550 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.73 | $28,246 | $45,563 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.67 | $31,608 | $52,744 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.61 | $34,802 | $60,094 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.56 | $37,829 | $67,612 | 9.0 years |
Solar Incentives in Johnston
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
| Name | Rhode Island C-PACE program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Renewable Energy Products Sales and Use Tax Exemption |
| Incentive Amount | 100% exemption |
| Incentive Max | None |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Small Scale Solar Grants (Commerce RI) |
| Incentive Amount | Solar PV Direct Ownership: $1.05/W Third Party Ownership: $0.70/W Solar Domestic Hot Water Heating Direct Ownership: 25% of project contract price Third Party Ownership: 10% of total contract price |
| Incentive Max | Solar PV Direct Ownership: $10,000 per project, $200,000 per application Third Party Ownership: $5,000 per project, $100,000 per application Solar Domestic Hot Water Heating Direct Ownership: $5,000 per project< br/>Third Party Ownership: $2,000 per project |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems |
| Incentive Amount | Varies (local option) |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment |
| Incentive Amount | 100% exemption from property taxes |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Renewable Energy Growth Program |
| Incentive Amount | Incentives will vary depending on the type of resource, the size of the system, and the geographic load zone area of the installation. Solar is grouped into four categories based on size: Small scale solar projects: up to 25kW Medium scale solar projects: 25kW to 250 kW Commercial scale solar projects: 250 kW to 1 MW Large scale solar projects: 1 MW to 5 MW Wind is grouped into two categories based on size: Medium: 1.5 MW- 3 MW Large: 3 MW- 5 MW Anaerobic Digestion Medium: 150 kW- 500 kW Large: 501 kW- 1,000 kW Small Scale Hydropower Small: 10kW - 250 kW Medium: 251 kW- 1,000 kW |
| Incentive Max | Varies with system size, technology and geographic load zone. |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of 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 good reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
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 Johnston, RI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Johnston?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $14,200 for a 5-kW system and $28,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Johnston?
You can't get solar panels for free in Johnston. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Johnston?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having 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.
