Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rio Rico, AZ (2024 Update)
- Rio Rico Solar Installation Cost: $11,120
- 25-Year Savings: $20,385
- Payback Period: 8.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rio Rico
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Rio Rico.
The average cost of a solar system in Rio Rico is 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Rio Rico is around 5.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,120 for a solar installation, or $15,902 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $25,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Rio Rico find installing solar panels can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Rio Rico that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Rio Rico
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,860 |
| 3 years | $-7,339 |
| 5 years | $-4,819 |
| 7 years | $-2,299 |
| 9 years | $222 |
| 11 years | $2,742 |
| 13 years | $5,263 |
| 15 years | $7,783 |
| 17 years | $10,303 |
| 19 years | $12,824 |
| 21 years | $15,344 |
| 23 years | $17,864 |
| 25 years | $20,385 |
Top Solar Installers in Rio Rico
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. The payback period of solar panels will vary depending on factors like your location and energy consumption, but working with a solar installer can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Rio Rico
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rio Rico
For many Rio Rico homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Rio Rico, 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
The size of the solar energy 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. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Rio Rico provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Rio Rico homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you select will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater 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 promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $23,864 | 9.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.13 | $17,536 | $32,163 | 8.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.07 | $21,490 | $40,633 | 8.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.01 | $25,272 | $49,276 | 8.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.95 | $28,883 | $58,090 | 8.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.89 | $32,321 | $67,076 | 8.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.82 | $35,587 | $76,235 | 8.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.76 | $38,682 | $85,565 | 7.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Rio Rico, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you go with.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 Rio Rico, AZ Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Rio Rico?
The average cost of solar panels in Rio Rico is about $15,350 for a 5-kW system and $30,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Rio Rico?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of 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.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Rio Rico?
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 once you've had 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.