Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cedarburg, WI (Mar 2023)
- Cedarburg Solar Installation Cost: $12,522
- 25-Year Savings: $24,807
- Payback Period: 8.4 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cedarburg
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Cedarburg.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Cedarburg, the average cost of a solar system is 2.6 per watt. The average Cedarburg homeowner needs a 6.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,522 with the federal tax credit, or $17,906 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in Cedarburg see about $21,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Cedarburg
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,028 |
| 3 years | $-8,042 |
| 5 years | $-5,056 |
| 7 years | $-2,070 |
| 9 years | $917 |
| 11 years | $3,903 |
| 13 years | $6,889 |
| 15 years | $9,876 |
| 17 years | $12,862 |
| 19 years | $15,848 |
| 21 years | $18,834 |
| 23 years | $21,821 |
| 25 years | $24,807 |
Top Solar Installers in Cedarburg
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra labor and know-how. That's one of the reasons most people choose a solar panel installer. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Cedarburg
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cedarburg
The cost of installing a solar system in Cedarburg can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,600. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cedarburg to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Cedarburg, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Cedarburg are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.70 | $11,357 | $21,210 | 8.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.65 | $14,851 | $28,571 | 8.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.60 | $18,200 | $36,078 | 8.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.55 | $21,403 | $43,730 | 8.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.50 | $24,461 | $51,528 | 8.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.44 | $27,373 | $59,471 | 7.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.39 | $30,139 | $67,560 | 7.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.34 | $32,760 | $75,795 | 7.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you hire.
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 Cedarburg, WI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cedarburg?
The average cost of solar panels in Cedarburg is about $13,000 for a 5-kW system and $26,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Cedarburg?
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 can't take advantage of 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.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 larger amount 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.