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

  • Janesville Solar Installation Cost: $19,674
  • 25-Year Savings: $23,451
  • Payback Period: 13.4 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 Janesville

Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Janesville.

The average cost of solar panels in Janesville is 4 per watt.Because a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Janesville, the average price of going solar will be about $19,674 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Janesville can save around $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.

To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in Janesville, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Janesville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-18,492
3 years $-16,127
5 years $-13,761
7 years $-11,396
9 years $-9,031
11 years $-6,666
13 years $-4,301
15 years $-1,936
17 years $430
19 years $2,795
21 years $5,160
23 years $7,525
25 years $9,890

Top Solar Installers in Janesville

Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra effort and know-how. For that reason, most people choose a solar panel installer. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, opting for a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:

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 Janesville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Janesville

There are several factors that can determine your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,880. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Janesville, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Janesville homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Janesville is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.

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 $13,396 14.0 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $18,296 13.7 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $23,413 13.4 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $28,748 13.2 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $34,300 12.9 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $40,069 12.6 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $46,055 12.4 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $52,259 12.1 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar panel system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • 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 go with.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.

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 Janesville, WI Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Janesville?

The average cost of solar panels in Janesville is about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Can you get solar panels for free in Janesville?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Janesville. 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’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

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 choose 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 solar panels."

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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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