Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dover, DE (2024 Update)
- Dover Solar Installation Cost: $14,023
- 25-Year Savings: $16,799
- Payback Period: 12.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dover
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Dover.
In Dover, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Dover, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,023, or $20,053 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.With typical savings of about $17,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Dover find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Dover that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Dover
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,614 |
| 3 years | $-9,795 |
| 5 years | $-6,977 |
| 7 years | $-4,159 |
| 9 years | $-1,340 |
| 11 years | $1,478 |
| 13 years | $4,296 |
| 15 years | $7,114 |
| 17 years | $9,933 |
| 19 years | $12,751 |
| 21 years | $15,569 |
| 23 years | $18,388 |
| 25 years | $21,206 |
Top Solar Installers in Dover
Installing solar panels on your own can be a stressful project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another great thing about using a top solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
There are several 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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Dover
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dover
The cost of installing a solar system in Dover can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,090. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Dover, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Dover homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.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 lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Dover is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Additionally, some companies in Dover have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use 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 | $3.21 | $13,497 | $12,886 | 12.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.15 | $17,650 | $17,528 | 12.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.09 | $21,630 | $22,342 | 12.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.03 | $25,437 | $27,330 | 12.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.97 | $29,071 | $32,490 | 11.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.90 | $32,532 | $37,824 | 11.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.84 | $35,819 | $43,331 | 11.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.78 | $38,934 | $49,010 | 11.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose considerably influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Dover, DE Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dover?
The average cost of solar panels in Dover is about $15,450 for a 5-kW system and $30,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Dover?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly 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 get the most savings.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Dover is currently $307,251, so you can expect a value of about $12,597 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Dover is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.