Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dover, WI (2023 Update)
- Dover Solar Installation Cost: $12,722
- 25-Year Savings: $27,231
- Payback Period: 8.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dover
Here's how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Dover.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Dover, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.6 per watt. Because a 7.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Dover, the average price of going solar will be about $12,722 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Dover based on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. Despite the high initial cost, the average Dover homeowner can save about $22,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To get a free quote from a highly rated solar installer in Dover, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Dover
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,124 |
| 3 years | $-7,927 |
| 5 years | $-4,731 |
| 7 years | $-1,535 |
| 9 years | $1,661 |
| 11 years | $4,858 |
| 13 years | $8,054 |
| 15 years | $11,250 |
| 17 years | $14,446 |
| 19 years | $17,642 |
| 21 years | $20,839 |
| 23 years | $24,035 |
| 25 years | $27,231 |
Top Solar Installers in Dover
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Using a solar company can make your swap to solar power much easier. Plus, if you're not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you're searching for a solar company in Dover, 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 Dover
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dover
The cost of installing a solar system in Dover 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 company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important 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 Dover. The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment is more than 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 searching for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Dover to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Dover homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you select will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting 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 | $2.70 | $11,357 | $22,959 | 8.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.65 | $14,851 | $30,903 | 8.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.60 | $18,200 | $38,992 | 8.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.55 | $21,403 | $47,228 | 7.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.50 | $24,461 | $55,609 | 7.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.44 | $27,373 | $64,135 | 7.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.39 | $30,139 | $72,807 | 7.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.34 | $32,760 | $81,625 | 7.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Dover, WI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Dover?
The average cost of solar panels in Dover 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 type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home 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 do I need 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 take a 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 install between 20 and 35 panels to account for 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.