Solar Panel Cost Guide in Barre, VT (2024 Update)
- Barre Solar Installation Cost: $15,142
- 25-Year Savings: $26,004
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Barre
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Barre.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Barre, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Barre is around 5.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $15,142 for a solar installation, or $21,653 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Barre homeowner. 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 average savings of about $25,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Barre find going solar can pay off big.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Barre
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,781 |
| 3 years | $-11,060 |
| 5 years | $-8,338 |
| 7 years | $-5,616 |
| 9 years | $-2,894 |
| 11 years | $-172 |
| 13 years | $2,549 |
| 15 years | $5,271 |
| 17 years | $7,993 |
| 19 years | $10,715 |
| 21 years | $13,436 |
| 23 years | $16,158 |
| 25 years | $18,880 |
Top Solar Installers in Barre
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it takes extra effort and handiness. For that reason, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy usage, but working with a solar installer can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 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 Barre
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Barre
Although the average cost of a solar system in Barre is $15,142, your final cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,850 per kilowatt in Barre.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Barre to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, 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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of renewable energy solutions in Barre, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Barre are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $4.00 | $16,817 | $23,006 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.93 | $21,991 | $31,106 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.85 | $26,950 | $39,421 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.77 | $31,693 | $47,952 | 9.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.70 | $36,221 | $56,699 | 9.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.62 | $40,533 | $65,661 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.54 | $44,629 | $74,839 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.47 | $48,510 | $84,232 | 9.1 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 find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
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 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 Barre, VT Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Barre?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $19,250 for a 5-kW system and $38,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose 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 solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in Barre?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level 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.