Solar Panel Cost Guide in Portsmouth, RI (2025 Update)
- Portsmouth Solar Installation Cost: $11,205
- 25-Year Savings: $14,128
- Payback Period: 12.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Portsmouth
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Portsmouth.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Portsmouth generally cost about 4.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Portsmouth, most homeowners require a 3.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,205, or $16,023 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on power bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Portsmouth
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,674 |
| 3 years | $-6,612 |
| 5 years | $-3,550 |
| 7 years | $-488 |
| 9 years | $2,574 |
| 11 years | $5,636 |
| 13 years | $8,698 |
| 15 years | $11,760 |
| 17 years | $14,822 |
| 19 years | $17,884 |
| 21 years | $20,946 |
| 23 years | $24,009 |
| 25 years | $27,071 |
Top Solar Installers in Portsmouth
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be challenging. Solar installers provide 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 Portsmouth, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Portsmouth
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Portsmouth
For many Portsmouth homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Portsmouth, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand and type 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 come at a higher price 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Portsmouth, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s vital to consider that as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Portsmouth, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to 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 | $4.23 | $17,778 | $15,703 | 13.3 years |
| 8 kW | $4.15 | $23,248 | $21,393 | 13.0 years |
| 10 kW | $4.07 | $28,490 | $27,311 | 12.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.99 | $33,504 | $33,458 | 12.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.91 | $38,291 | $39,831 | 12.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.83 | $42,849 | $46,433 | 12.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,179 | $53,263 | 11.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.66 | $51,282 | $60,321 | 11.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose significantly influences your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the durability of your solar energy system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- 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 how long it will take.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Portsmouth, RI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Portsmouth?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,350 for a 5-kW system and $40,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Portsmouth?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Portsmouth. However, you may still be able to get 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.
Does Portsmouth have a net metering program?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.