Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fortuna Foothills, AZ (2024 Update)

  • Fortuna Foothills Solar Installation Cost: $10,983
  • 25-Year Savings: $23,857
  • Payback Period: 8.3 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 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 Fortuna Foothills

Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Fortuna Foothills.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Fortuna Foothills, the typical cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.The average Fortuna Foothills homeowner needs a 5.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $10,983 with the federal tax credit, or $15,706 before the 0 tax credit 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 use, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Fortuna Foothills see about $25,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

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

Solar savings over time in Fortuna Foothills

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-9,318
3 years$-5,987
5 years$-2,656
7 years$675
9 years$4,007
11 years$7,338
13 years$10,669
15 years$14,000
17 years$17,331
19 years$20,662
21 years$23,993
23 years$27,324
25 years$30,655

Top Solar Installers in Fortuna Foothills

Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be hard. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance in the long run.

If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:

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Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

See all of the solar companies in Fortuna Foothills

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fortuna Foothills

Though the average cost of a solar system in Fortuna Foothills is $10,983, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,070. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Fortuna Foothills, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of 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 Fortuna Foothills to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Fortuna Foothills, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.19$13,410$25,5598.6 years
8 kW$3.13$17,536$34,4238.4 years
10 kW$3.07$21,490$43,4588.3 years
12 kW$3.01$25,272$52,6668.1 years
14 kW$2.95$28,883$62,0457.9 years
16 kW$2.89$32,321$71,5967.8 years
18 kW$2.82$35,587$81,3197.6 years
20 kW$2.76$38,682$91,2157.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of companies to choose from in Fortuna Foothills, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
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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

EcoWatch's Fortuna Foothills, AZ Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fortuna Foothills?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $15,350 for a 5-kW system and $30,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Fortuna Foothills?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Fortuna Foothills. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Fortuna Foothills?

Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system produces 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 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.