Solar Panel Cost Guide in Winooski, VT (Mar 2023)
- Winooski Solar Installation Cost: $11,491
- 25-Year Savings: $20,579
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Winooski
We go over average solar pricing in Winooski.
In Winooski, solar panels cost about 2.87 per watt on average. The average Winooski homeowner needs a 5.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,491 with the federal tax credit, or $16,432 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Winooski homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With average savings of about $21,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Winooski find installing solar panels can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in Winooski for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Winooski
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,209 |
| 3 years | $-7,643 |
| 5 years | $-5,077 |
| 7 years | $-2,512 |
| 9 years | $54 |
| 11 years | $2,619 |
| 13 years | $5,185 |
| 15 years | $7,751 |
| 17 years | $10,316 |
| 19 years | $12,882 |
| 21 years | $15,448 |
| 23 years | $18,013 |
| 25 years | $20,579 |
Top Solar Installers in Winooski
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment you need.
If you're looking for a solar company in Winooski, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Winooski
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Winooski
There are many criteria that can influence your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,870. The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Winooski have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Winooski homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar system can play a part in determining how much you pay. Winooski's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut 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 | $21,108 | 9.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.93 | $16,393 | $28,466 | 9.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.87 | $20,090 | $35,984 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.81 | $23,626 | $43,663 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.76 | $27,001 | $51,503 | 8.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.70 | $30,215 | $59,503 | 8.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.64 | $33,269 | $67,664 | 8.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.58 | $36,162 | $75,986 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your 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 a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer various brands and models of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you're considering has it.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
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 Winooski, VT Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Winooski?
The average cost of solar panels in Winooski is about $14,350 for a 5-kW system and $28,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as 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 Winooski?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Does Winooski have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future energy bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.