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

  • Oshkosh Solar Installation Cost: $19,541
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,736
  • Payback Period: 13.6 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Oshkosh

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Oshkosh.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Oshkosh it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Oshkosh, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $19,541, or $27,944 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $19,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Oshkosh find going solar can be quite rewarding.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Oshkosh

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-18,413
3 years $-16,156
5 years $-13,900
7 years $-11,644
9 years $-9,388
11 years $-7,131
13 years $-4,875
15 years $-2,619
17 years $-362
19 years $1,894
21 years $4,150
23 years $6,407
25 years $8,663

Top Solar Installers in Oshkosh

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be hard. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance in the long run.

Working with a vetted solar installer 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 Oshkosh

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oshkosh

For many Oshkosh homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Oshkosh, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in Oshkosh provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Oshkosh is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.

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 $12,932 14.2 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $17,677 13.9 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $22,640 13.6 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $27,820 13.4 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $33,217 13.1 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $38,831 12.8 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $44,663 12.5 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $50,712 12.3 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. Since selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure you look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project 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 Oshkosh, WI Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Oshkosh 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 stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Are solar panels free in Oshkosh?

Solar panels aren’t free in Oshkosh, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

Is it worth going solar in Oshkosh?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having 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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