Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dover, WI (2024 Update)

  • Dover Solar Installation Cost: $18,973
  • 25-Year Savings: $27,239
  • Payback Period: 11.9 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dover

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Dover.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Dover typically cost around 4.Since a 7.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Dover, the average price of going solar will be about $18,973 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Dover can save around $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Dover that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Dover

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-17,678
3 years $-15,087
5 years $-12,496
7 years $-9,905
9 years $-7,314
11 years $-4,723
13 years $-2,132
15 years $459
17 years $3,050
19 years $5,641
21 years $8,232
23 years $10,823
25 years $13,414

Top Solar Installers in Dover

Although you can install solar panels on your own, it involves extra time and handiness. That's one of the reasons most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Dover:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Dover

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dover

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Dover: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Dover to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can impact the cost. Dover’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 keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car 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 $17,368 12.3 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $23,591 12.1 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $30,032 11.9 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $36,691 11.6 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $43,566 11.4 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $50,659 11.2 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $57,970 10.9 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $65,497 10.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies to choose from in Dover, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
  • Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

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 $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Dover?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

Is making the switch to solar worth it?

Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having 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.

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