Solar Panel Cost Guide in Ashland, WI (2024 Update)
- Ashland Solar Installation Cost: $20,653
- 25-Year Savings: $28,152
- Payback Period: 12.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Ashland
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Ashland.
The average cost of a solar system in Ashland is 4 per watt.The average Ashland homeowner needs a 7.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $20,653 with the federal tax credit, or $29,534 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Ashland can save about $21,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Ashland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,548 |
| 3 years | $-17,340 |
| 5 years | $-15,131 |
| 7 years | $-12,923 |
| 9 years | $-10,714 |
| 11 years | $-8,506 |
| 13 years | $-6,297 |
| 15 years | $-4,089 |
| 17 years | $-1,880 |
| 19 years | $328 |
| 21 years | $2,537 |
| 23 years | $4,745 |
| 25 years | $6,954 |
Top Solar Installers in Ashland
Putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. 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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Ashland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Ashland
There are several factors that can play into your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid choice because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s vital to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Ashland, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have 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 | $4.04 | $16,948 | $16,185 | 12.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.96 | $22,163 | $22,015 | 12.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.88 | $27,160 | $28,062 | 12.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.80 | $31,940 | $34,326 | 12.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.72 | $36,503 | $40,808 | 11.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.65 | $40,849 | $47,507 | 11.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.57 | $44,977 | $54,423 | 11.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.49 | $48,888 | $61,556 | 11.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you’d like to get plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies have different panels.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 previous customers.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Ashland, WI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Ashland?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,104.44 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.