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

  • Ottawa Solar Installation Cost: $19,621
  • 25-Year Savings: $26,064
  • Payback Period: 12.5 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 Ottawa

Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Ottawa.

The average cost of solar panels in Ottawa is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 7.2-kW system would cost about $19,621 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Ottawa homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in Ottawa see about $21,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Ottawa for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Ottawa

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-18,326
3 years $-15,735
5 years $-13,144
7 years $-10,553
9 years $-7,962
11 years $-5,371
13 years $-2,780
15 years $-189
17 years $2,402
19 years $4,993
21 years $7,584
23 years $10,175
25 years $12,766

Top Solar Installers in Ottawa

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you're looking for a solar company in Ottawa, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:

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 Ottawa

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Ottawa

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

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,880. The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Ottawa average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable route because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, 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 keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Ottawa is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials 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 $15,619 13.0 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $21,260 12.8 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $27,118 12.5 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $33,194 12.3 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $39,487 12.0 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $45,997 11.8 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $52,724 11.5 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $59,669 11.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, 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:

  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.

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 Ottawa, WI Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Ottawa?

The average cost of solar panels in Ottawa is about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Can you get solar panels for free in Ottawa?

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

Do solar panels increase your property value?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.

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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