Solar Panel Cost Guide in Onalaska, WI (2024 Update)
- Onalaska Solar Installation Cost: $20,137
- 25-Year Savings: $7,469
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Onalaska
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Onalaska.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Onalaska typically cost around 4.Since a 7.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Onalaska, the average price of going solar will be about $20,137 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $19,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Onalaska find going solar can pay off big.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Onalaska, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Onalaska
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,033 |
| 3 years | $-16,824 |
| 5 years | $-14,616 |
| 7 years | $-12,407 |
| 9 years | $-10,199 |
| 11 years | $-7,990 |
| 13 years | $-5,782 |
| 15 years | $-3,573 |
| 17 years | $-1,365 |
| 19 years | $844 |
| 21 years | $3,052 |
| 23 years | $5,261 |
| 25 years | $7,469 |
Top Solar Installers in Onalaska
When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Local solar companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Onalaska, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Onalaska
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Onalaska
For many Onalaska homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Onalaska, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Onalaska, 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 consumption, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,880 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Onalaska, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Onalaska is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger 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 | $12,719 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.96 | $22,163 | $17,394 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.88 | $27,160 | $22,286 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.80 | $31,940 | $27,395 | 13.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.72 | $36,503 | $32,721 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.65 | $40,849 | $38,264 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.57 | $44,977 | $44,025 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.49 | $48,888 | $50,003 | 12.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Onalaska, 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: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer different brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Onalaska, WI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Onalaska?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-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.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
The initial 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 consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Onalaska?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future electricity bills.
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much 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.