Solar Panel Cost Guide in Glendale, WI (2023 Update)

  • Glendale Solar Installation Cost: $12,497
  • 25-Year Savings: $28,276
  • Payback Period: 7.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Glendale

Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Glendale.

The average cost of a solar system in Glendale is 2.6 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Glendale is around 6.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,503 for a solar installation, or $17,879 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are just estimates, and the cost of going solar for you may differ based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with. With average savings of about $23,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Glendale find installing solar panels can pay off big.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Glendale for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Glendale

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-11,202
3 years $-8,611
5 years $-6,020
7 years $-3,429
9 years $-838
11 years $1,753
13 years $4,344
15 years $6,935
17 years $9,526
19 years $12,117
21 years $14,708
23 years $17,299
25 years $19,890

Top Solar Installers in Glendale

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, particularly if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Glendale, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

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 Glendale

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Glendale

The cost of installing a solar system in Glendale can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Glendale, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,600 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Glendale, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Glendale to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest. It's a good idea 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 opt for to handle your switch to sustainable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Glendale, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is within your budget.

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 $24,270 8.0 years
8 kW $2.65 $14,851 $32,652 7.8 years
10 kW $2.60 $18,200 $41,179 7.7 years
12 kW $2.55 $21,403 $49,851 7.5 years
14 kW $2.50 $24,461 $58,669 7.4 years
16 kW $2.44 $27,373 $67,633 7.2 years
18 kW $2.39 $30,139 $76,743 7.0 years
20 kW $2.34 $32,760 $85,998 6.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies available in Glendale, 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:

  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.

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 Glendale, WI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Glendale?

The average cost of solar panels in Glendale 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Are solar panels free in Glendale?

You can't get solar panels for free in Glendale. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Is switching to solar power worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last 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 higher 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.

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