Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mountain Home, AR (2024 Update)

  • Mountain Home Solar Installation Cost: $20,891
  • 25-Year Savings: $24,436
  • Payback Period: 13.2 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 Mountain Home

Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Mountain Home.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Mountain Home it’s 3 per watt.Because a 8.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Mountain Home, the average price of going solar will be about $20,891 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

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 system you choose, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $18,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

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

Solar savings over time in Mountain Home

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-19,435
3 years $-16,523
5 years $-13,611
7 years $-10,698
9 years $-7,786
11 years $-4,874
13 years $-1,962
15 years $950
17 years $3,862
19 years $6,774
21 years $9,686
23 years $12,598
25 years $15,511

Top Solar Installers in Mountain Home

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. Companies can also offer access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for your family.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Mountain Home:

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Mountain Home

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mountain Home

Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Mountain Home: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Mountain Home, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,490 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Mountain Home, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Mountain Home to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Mountain Home is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more 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 discount 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 $3.63 $15,244 $12,569 13.7 years
8 kW $3.56 $19,935 $17,150 13.4 years
10 kW $3.49 $24,430 $21,926 13.2 years
12 kW $3.42 $28,730 $26,897 12.9 years
14 kW $3.35 $32,834 $32,064 12.6 years
16 kW $3.28 $36,743 $37,426 12.4 years
18 kW $3.21 $40,456 $42,984 12.1 years
20 kW $3.14 $43,974 $48,737 11.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies available in Mountain Home, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a quality company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies offer 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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Mountain Home, AR Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mountain Home?

The average cost of solar panels in Mountain Home is about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Mountain Home?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.

Does Mountain Home have a net metering program?

The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How many solar panels should I get to power my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.

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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