Solar Panel Cost Guide in Waterbury, VT (2024 Update)
- Waterbury Solar Installation Cost: $15,142
- 25-Year Savings: $24,831
- Payback Period: 10.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Waterbury
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Waterbury.
In Waterbury, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 5.6-kW system would cost about $15,142 before the 0 federal solar tax credit 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 consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Waterbury see about $24,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Waterbury, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Waterbury
| 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 Waterbury
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Companies can also provide access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be best for your family.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Waterbury:
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 Waterbury
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Waterbury
For many Waterbury homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Waterbury, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,850. The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Waterbury average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Waterbury homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Waterbury homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you choose will affect your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and decide on 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 | $4.00 | $16,817 | $21,754 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.93 | $21,991 | $29,436 | 10.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.85 | $26,950 | $37,334 | 10.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.77 | $31,693 | $45,448 | 10.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.70 | $36,221 | $53,777 | 10.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.62 | $40,533 | $62,322 | 9.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.54 | $44,629 | $71,083 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.47 | $48,510 | $80,059 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s essential to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 Waterbury, VT Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Waterbury?
The average cost of solar panels in Waterbury 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 stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does Waterbury have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future energy bills.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually 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.