Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Albans, VT (Mar 2023)
- St Albans Solar Installation Cost: $11,552
- 25-Year Savings: $20,430
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Albans
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in St Albans.
In St Albans, solar panels cost about 2.87 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in St Albans, most homeowners require a 5.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,552, or $16,519 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in St Albans
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,272 |
| 3 years | $-7,714 |
| 5 years | $-5,156 |
| 7 years | $-2,597 |
| 9 years | $-38 |
| 11 years | $2,520 |
| 13 years | $5,078 |
| 15 years | $7,637 |
| 17 years | $10,196 |
| 19 years | $12,754 |
| 21 years | $15,312 |
| 23 years | $17,871 |
| 25 years | $20,430 |
Top Solar Installers in St Albans
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment you need.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in St Albans:
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 St Albans
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Albans
While the average cost of a solar system in St Albans is $11,552, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in St Albans, one of the most crucial 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 usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,870 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and type 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 often have a higher price tag 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, 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 difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in St Albans, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in St Albans is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you'll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $2.98 | $12,536 | $20,828 | 9.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.93 | $16,393 | $28,092 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.87 | $20,090 | $35,516 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.81 | $23,626 | $43,102 | 8.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.76 | $27,001 | $50,848 | 8.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.70 | $30,215 | $58,755 | 8.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.64 | $33,269 | $66,822 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.58 | $36,162 | $75,051 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose significantly impacts your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have different brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
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 St Albans, VT Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St Albans?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $14,350 for a 5-kW system and $28,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Are solar panels free in St Albans?
You can't get solar panels for free in St Albans. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How will installing solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase your property's value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for 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 a solar system."
How long do solar panels last in St Albans?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 higher 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.