Solar Panel Cost Guide in Prescott, AZ (2024 Update)
- Prescott Solar Installation Cost: $11,366
- 25-Year Savings: $24,912
- Payback Period: 8.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Prescott
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Prescott.
In Prescott, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.Since a 5.3-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Prescott, the average price of going solar will be about $11,366 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Prescott homeowners. The price 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.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $25,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Prescott that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Prescott
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,701 |
| 3 years | $-6,370 |
| 5 years | $-3,039 |
| 7 years | $292 |
| 9 years | $3,624 |
| 11 years | $6,955 |
| 13 years | $10,286 |
| 15 years | $13,617 |
| 17 years | $16,948 |
| 19 years | $20,279 |
| 21 years | $23,610 |
| 23 years | $26,941 |
| 25 years | $30,272 |
Top Solar Installers in Prescott
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
- 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 Prescott
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Prescott
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Prescott is $11,366, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,070. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Prescott, where sunlight is 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 a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Prescott, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s vital to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to solar energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Prescott, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.19 | $13,410 | $25,812 | 8.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.13 | $17,536 | $34,760 | 8.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.07 | $21,490 | $43,879 | 8.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.01 | $25,272 | $53,171 | 8.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.95 | $28,883 | $62,634 | 7.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.89 | $32,321 | $72,270 | 7.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.82 | $35,587 | $82,077 | 7.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.76 | $38,682 | $92,057 | 7.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Prescott, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you hire.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Prescott, AZ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Prescott?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Prescott?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or get 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value 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 long do solar panels last in Prescott?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.