Solar Panel Cost Guide in Southington, CT (2024 Update)
- Southington Solar Installation Cost: $12,323
- 25-Year Savings: $17,819
- Payback Period: 11.4 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 Southington
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Southington.
In Southington, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 4.7-kW system would cost about $12,323 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can be above or below the average in Southington depending on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the high initial cost, the average Southington homeowner can save about $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in Southington for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Southington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,479 |
| 3 years | $-6,791 |
| 5 years | $-3,103 |
| 7 years | $585 |
| 9 years | $4,273 |
| 11 years | $7,961 |
| 13 years | $11,649 |
| 15 years | $15,337 |
| 17 years | $19,025 |
| 19 years | $22,713 |
| 21 years | $26,401 |
| 23 years | $30,089 |
| 25 years | $33,777 |
Top Solar Installers in Southington
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a difficult task, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Southington:
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 Southington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Southington
The cost of installing a solar system in Southington can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,750 per kilowatt in Southington.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Generally, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far 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 Southington to be prohibitively expensive, 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 lead to higher prices over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panels can play a part in determining how much it costs. Southington’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $18,154 | 11.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.83 | $21,420 | $24,626 | 11.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.75 | $26,250 | $31,307 | 11.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,870 | $38,198 | 11.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.60 | $35,280 | $45,300 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,480 | $52,611 | 10.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.45 | $43,470 | $60,133 | 10.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,250 | $67,864 | 10.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your solar installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
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 Southington, CT Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Southington?
The average cost of solar panels in Southington 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 stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Southington?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure 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 savings from going solar.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Southington?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.