Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sioux Falls, SD (Mar 2023)
- Sioux Falls Solar Installation Cost: $14,773
- 25-Year Savings: $24,157
- Payback Period: 9.5 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sioux Falls
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Sioux Falls.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Sioux Falls, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.39 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Sioux Falls is around 8.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,773 for a solar installation, or $21,125 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with. Despite the large upfront cost, the average Sioux Falls homeowner can save about $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sioux Falls
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,215 |
| 3 years | $-10,101 |
| 5 years | $-6,987 |
| 7 years | $-3,872 |
| 9 years | $-758 |
| 11 years | $2,356 |
| 13 years | $5,471 |
| 15 years | $8,585 |
| 17 years | $11,699 |
| 19 years | $14,814 |
| 21 years | $17,928 |
| 23 years | $21,043 |
| 25 years | $24,157 |
Top Solar Installers in Sioux Falls
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
Working with a professional solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Sioux Falls
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sioux Falls
The cost of installing a solar system in Sioux Falls can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,390 per kilowatt in Sioux Falls. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 more 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
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Sioux Falls, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you select will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fits within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.49 | $10,440 | $16,003 | 9.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.44 | $13,652 | $21,605 | 9.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.39 | $16,730 | $27,341 | 9.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.34 | $19,674 | $33,211 | 9.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.29 | $22,485 | $39,214 | 9.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.25 | $25,162 | $45,351 | 8.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.20 | $27,705 | $51,623 | 8.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.15 | $30,114 | $58,028 | 8.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly affects your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry different brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panels, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
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 Sioux Falls, SD Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Sioux Falls?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $11,950 for a 5-kW system and $23,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Sioux Falls?
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 many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of 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 buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for 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.