Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dodgeville, WI (2023 Update)
- Dodgeville Solar Installation Cost: $13,242
- 25-Year Savings: $23,431
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dodgeville
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Dodgeville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Dodgeville it's 2.6 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.3-kW system would cost about $13,250 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Dodgeville homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $19,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Dodgeville find going solar can be quite rewarding.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Dodgeville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,120 |
| 3 years | $-12,875 |
| 5 years | $-12,631 |
| 7 years | $-12,386 |
| 9 years | $-12,142 |
| 11 years | $-11,897 |
| 13 years | $-11,653 |
| 15 years | $-11,408 |
| 17 years | $-11,164 |
| 19 years | $-10,919 |
| 21 years | $-10,675 |
| 23 years | $-10,430 |
| 25 years | $-10,186 |
Top Solar Installers in Dodgeville
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. Plus, if you're unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Dodgeville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dodgeville
For many Dodgeville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Dodgeville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,600 per kilowatt in Dodgeville. The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Dodgeville average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Dodgeville, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. It's wise to factor the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to green energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Dodgeville, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $18,885 | 9.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.65 | $14,851 | $25,472 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.60 | $18,200 | $32,204 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.55 | $21,403 | $39,081 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.50 | $24,461 | $46,105 | 8.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.44 | $27,373 | $53,273 | 8.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.39 | $30,139 | $60,588 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.34 | $32,760 | $68,048 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:
- Contract: Even 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.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of 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 good reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Dodgeville, WI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dodgeville?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,000 for a 5-kW system and $26,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your property's value remarkably 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 many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.