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

  • Omro Solar Installation Cost: $13,094
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,946
  • Payback Period: 9.1 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

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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 Omro

Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Omro.

In Omro, solar panels cost about 2.6 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in Omro is around 7.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,086 for a solar installation, or $18,713 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs may vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a custom quote.

Solar savings over time in Omro

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-11,987
3 years $-9,772
5 years $-7,558
7 years $-5,343
9 years $-3,129
11 years $-914
13 years $1,301
15 years $3,515
17 years $5,730
19 years $7,945
21 years $10,159
23 years $12,374
25 years $14,589

Top Solar Installers in Omro

Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, if you're unsure what kind of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.

Working with a professional solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:

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 Omro

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Omro

There are many criteria that can affect your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,600. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Omro, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, 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

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Omro to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Omro homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installer you select will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Additionally, some companies in Omro have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.

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 $18,699 9.4 years
8 kW $2.65 $14,851 $25,223 9.3 years
10 kW $2.60 $18,200 $31,893 9.1 years
12 kW $2.55 $21,403 $38,708 8.9 years
14 kW $2.50 $24,461 $45,669 8.7 years
16 kW $2.44 $27,373 $52,776 8.5 years
18 kW $2.39 $30,139 $60,028 8.4 years
20 kW $2.34 $32,760 $67,425 8.2 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 select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.

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 Omro, WI Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Omro is about $13,000 for a 5-kW system and $26,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Omro?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive 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 get the most savings.

Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Omro, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes 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?

Even 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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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