Solar Panel Cost Guide in Shelburne, VT (2024 Update)

  • Shelburne Solar Installation Cost: $15,413
  • 25-Year Savings: $23,840
  • Payback Period: 10.9 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Shelburne

Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Shelburne.

In Shelburne, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 5.7-kW system would cost about $15,413 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $23,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Shelburne find installing solar panels can pay off big.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Shelburne

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-14,052
3 years $-11,331
5 years $-8,609
7 years $-5,887
9 years $-3,165
11 years $-444
13 years $2,278
15 years $5,000
17 years $7,722
19 years $10,443
21 years $13,165
23 years $15,887
25 years $18,609

Top Solar Installers in Shelburne

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Using an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.

Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Shelburne

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Shelburne

For many Shelburne homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Shelburne, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Shelburne, 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 figure out by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,850 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Shelburne to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.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’re only able to 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

Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panel system can influence the cost. Shelburne’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 $4.00 $16,817 $20,248 11.3 years
8 kW $3.93 $21,991 $27,428 11.1 years
10 kW $3.85 $26,950 $34,824 10.9 years
12 kW $3.77 $31,693 $42,436 10.7 years
14 kW $3.70 $36,221 $50,263 10.5 years
16 kW $3.62 $40,533 $58,306 10.3 years
18 kW $3.54 $44,629 $66,564 10.0 years
20 kW $3.47 $48,510 $75,038 9.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies available in Shelburne, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of options before making your decision.
  • Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the project timeline.
  • Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Shelburne, VT Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Shelburne?

The average cost of solar panels in Shelburne is about $19,250 for a 5-kW system and $38,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Shelburne?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t 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 savings from going solar.

Is it worth going solar in Shelburne?

Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.

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