Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pleasant Prairie, WI (2024 Update)

  • Pleasant Prairie Solar Installation Cost: $18,946
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,441
  • Payback Period: 11.6 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

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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 Pleasant Prairie

We break down average solar pricing in Pleasant Prairie.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Pleasant Prairie, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.Since a 7.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Pleasant Prairie, the average price of going solar will be about $18,946 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Pleasant Prairie homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Pleasant Prairie can save around $22,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

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

Solar savings over time in Pleasant Prairie

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-17,650
3 years $-15,059
5 years $-12,468
7 years $-9,877
9 years $-7,286
11 years $-4,695
13 years $-2,104
15 years $487
17 years $3,078
19 years $5,669
21 years $8,260
23 years $10,851
25 years $13,441

Top Solar Installers in Pleasant Prairie

Installing solar panels on your own can be a time-consuming undertaking, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you’re unsure what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Pleasant Prairie:

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 Pleasant Prairie

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pleasant Prairie

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

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Pleasant Prairie, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,880 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment 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 Pleasant Prairie to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.It’s wise to factor 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 how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Pleasant Prairie, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk 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 $18,123 12.1 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $24,598 11.8 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $31,291 11.6 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $38,201 11.4 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $45,328 11.2 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $52,673 10.9 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $60,235 10.7 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $68,014 10.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
  • Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.
  • Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.

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 Pleasant Prairie, WI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pleasant Prairie?

The average cost of solar panels in Pleasant Prairie 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 like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Pleasant Prairie?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it often 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 option if you want to get the most savings.

Do solar panels increase the value of your home?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably 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."

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 the amount of 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.

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