Solar Panel Cost Guide in Marshall, WI (2024 Update)
- Marshall Solar Installation Cost: $19,756
- 25-Year Savings: $24,869
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Marshall
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Marshall.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Marshall typically cost about 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Marshall, most homeowners require a 7.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $19,756, or $28,251 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you may vary based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To get a free quote from a top solar installation company in Marshall, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Marshall
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,461 |
| 3 years | $-15,870 |
| 5 years | $-13,279 |
| 7 years | $-10,688 |
| 9 years | $-8,097 |
| 11 years | $-5,506 |
| 13 years | $-2,915 |
| 15 years | $-324 |
| 17 years | $2,267 |
| 19 years | $4,858 |
| 21 years | $7,449 |
| 23 years | $10,040 |
| 25 years | $12,631 |
Top Solar Installers in Marshall
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of a solar company can make your swap to solar power much easier. Solar warranties and repairs are often included in the cost of installation when you go with a solar company as well, which can save you more money after your upfront investment.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Marshall:
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 Marshall
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Marshall
For many Marshall homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Marshall, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Marshall, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,880 for each additional kilowatt you need.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 more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Marshall to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Marshall, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $14,485 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.96 | $22,163 | $19,748 | 13.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.88 | $27,160 | $25,228 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.80 | $31,940 | $30,925 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.72 | $36,503 | $36,840 | 12.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.65 | $40,849 | $42,972 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.57 | $44,977 | $49,321 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.49 | $48,888 | $55,887 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- 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.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
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 Marshall, WI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Marshall?
The average cost of solar panels in Marshall 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 things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Marshall, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.