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

  • Polk Solar Installation Cost: $19,492
  • 25-Year Savings: $24,753
  • Payback Period: 12.9 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 Polk

Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Polk.

The average cost of a solar panel system in Polk is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Polk is around 7.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $19,492 for a solar installation, or $27,874 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Even with the large initial cost, the average Polk homeowner can save about $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Polk that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Polk

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-18,196
3 years $-15,605
5 years $-13,014
7 years $-10,423
9 years $-7,832
11 years $-5,242
13 years $-2,651
15 years $-60
17 years $2,531
19 years $5,122
21 years $7,713
23 years $10,304
25 years $12,895

Top Solar Installers in Polk

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installer since DIY solar panel installation can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be valuable as well, especially if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment you need.

If you're searching for a solar company in Polk, we've 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 Polk

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Polk

For many Polk homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Polk, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few 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 determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Polk average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Polk to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s vital to consider that as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can play a part in determining your pricing. Polk’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

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 $14,666 13.4 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $19,989 13.1 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $25,530 12.9 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $31,288 12.6 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $37,263 12.4 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $43,455 12.1 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $49,865 11.9 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $56,492 11.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you opt for will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure you look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.

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 Polk, WI Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Polk 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 type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Polk?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.

Is going solar worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of 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 stop working completely 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 keep using 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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