Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Hampton, CT (2024 Update)
- East Hampton Solar Installation Cost: $11,907
- 25-Year Savings: $18,129
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Hampton
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in East Hampton.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in East Hampton typically cost about 4.The average solar panel system size in East Hampton is around 4.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,907 for a solar installation, or $17,027 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $23,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in East Hampton find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
To receive a free quote from a top solar company in East Hampton, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in East Hampton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,063 |
| 3 years | $-6,375 |
| 5 years | $-2,687 |
| 7 years | $1,001 |
| 9 years | $4,689 |
| 11 years | $8,377 |
| 13 years | $12,065 |
| 15 years | $15,753 |
| 17 years | $19,441 |
| 19 years | $23,129 |
| 21 years | $26,817 |
| 23 years | $30,505 |
| 25 years | $34,193 |
Top Solar Installers in East Hampton
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it involves extra effort and knowledge. Because of that, most people choose a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be best for you.
Working with a professional solar company can make going solar easier. 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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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 East Hampton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Hampton
There are several criteria that can affect your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in East Hampton to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in East Hampton is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Additionally, some companies in East Hampton have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.90 | $16,380 | $19,361 | 11.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.83 | $21,420 | $26,235 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.75 | $26,250 | $33,318 | 11.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,870 | $40,612 | 10.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.60 | $35,280 | $48,115 | 10.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,480 | $55,829 | 10.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.45 | $43,470 | $63,753 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,250 | $71,886 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in East Hampton, 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:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before making your decision.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's East Hampton, CT Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in East Hampton?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,750 for a 5-kW system and $37,500 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 usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in East Hampton?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 option if you want to maximize your savings.
How will solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had 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.