Solar Panel Cost Guide in Plainfield, CT (2024 Update)

  • Plainfield Solar Installation Cost: $12,271
  • 25-Year Savings: $17,857
  • Payback Period: 11.4 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 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 Plainfield

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Plainfield.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Plainfield generally cost around 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Plainfield, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,271, or $17,548 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you want to go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Plainfield

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,427
3 years $-6,739
5 years $-3,051
7 years $637
9 years $4,325
11 years $8,013
13 years $11,701
15 years $15,389
17 years $19,077
19 years $22,765
21 years $26,453
23 years $30,141
25 years $33,829

Top Solar Installers in Plainfield

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be hard. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Plainfield:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

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

See all of the solar companies in Plainfield

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Plainfield

For many Plainfield homeowners, the decision to go solar comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Plainfield, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,750. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Plainfield to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can impact how much you pay. Plainfield’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 provides the products, warranties and services you want 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 $18,301 11.8 years
8 kW $3.83 $21,420 $24,821 11.6 years
10 kW $3.75 $26,250 $31,551 11.4 years
12 kW $3.67 $30,870 $38,491 11.1 years
14 kW $3.60 $35,280 $45,641 10.9 years
16 kW $3.52 $39,480 $53,001 10.7 years
18 kW $3.45 $43,470 $60,572 10.4 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,250 $68,352 10.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
  • Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure you read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
  • Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

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 Plainfield, CT Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Plainfield?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, 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 be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Plainfield?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Plainfield. However, you may still be able to install 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.

Do solar panels increase your property value?

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."

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.

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