Solar Panel Cost Guide in New Haven, CT (2024 Update)
- New Haven Solar Installation Cost: $11,885
- 25-Year Savings: $23,342
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in New Haven
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in New Haven.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in New Haven generally cost around 4.The average New Haven homeowner needs a 4.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,885 with the federal tax credit, or $16,996 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in New Haven depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With typical savings of about $27,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in New Haven find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in New Haven for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in New Haven
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-9,690 |
3 years | $-5,301 |
5 years | $-912 |
7 years | $3,478 |
9 years | $7,867 |
11 years | $12,256 |
13 years | $16,645 |
15 years | $21,035 |
17 years | $25,424 |
19 years | $29,813 |
21 years | $34,202 |
23 years | $38,591 |
25 years | $42,981 |
Top Solar Installers in New Haven
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra effort and expertise. That's why almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over time.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in New Haven
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in New Haven
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in New Haven: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in New Haven, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,750 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the New Haven average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in New Haven have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.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 above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar system can affect how much you pay. New Haven’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into 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 | $3.90 | $16,380 | $26,313 | 9.6 years |
8 kW | $3.83 | $21,420 | $35,504 | 9.4 years |
10 kW | $3.75 | $26,250 | $44,905 | 9.2 years |
12 kW | $3.67 | $30,870 | $54,516 | 9.0 years |
14 kW | $3.60 | $35,280 | $64,337 | 8.9 years |
16 kW | $3.52 | $39,480 | $74,368 | 8.7 years |
18 kW | $3.45 | $43,470 | $84,609 | 8.5 years |
20 kW | $3.38 | $47,250 | $95,060 | 8.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- 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 the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's New Haven, CT Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in New Haven?
The average cost of solar panels in New Haven is about $18,750 for a 5-kW system and $37,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is switching to solar power 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 decide to 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.