Solar Panel Cost Guide in Little Chute, WI (2024 Update)
- Little Chute Solar Installation Cost: $19,712
- 25-Year Savings: $22,632
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Little Chute
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Little Chute.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Little Chute typically cost about 4.Because a 7.3-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Little Chute, the average price of going solar will be about $19,712 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $19,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a highly rated solar installer in Little Chute, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Little Chute
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,416 |
| 3 years | $-15,825 |
| 5 years | $-13,234 |
| 7 years | $-10,643 |
| 9 years | $-8,052 |
| 11 years | $-5,461 |
| 13 years | $-2,870 |
| 15 years | $-279 |
| 17 years | $2,312 |
| 19 years | $4,903 |
| 21 years | $7,494 |
| 23 years | $10,085 |
| 25 years | $12,676 |
Top Solar Installers in Little Chute
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, going with a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
- 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 Little Chute
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Little Chute
The cost of installing a solar system in Little Chute can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,880 per kilowatt in Little Chute.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Little Chute, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Little Chute homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you opt for to handle your switch to green energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Little Chute, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $12,682 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.96 | $22,163 | $17,344 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.88 | $27,160 | $22,223 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.80 | $31,940 | $27,320 | 13.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.72 | $36,503 | $32,633 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.65 | $40,849 | $38,164 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.57 | $44,977 | $43,913 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.49 | $48,888 | $49,878 | 12.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it’s necessary to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- 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.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Little Chute, WI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Little Chute?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Little Chute?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Little Chute, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Is going solar 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?
Although 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.