Solar Panel Cost Guide in Albia, IA (2024 Update)
- Albia Solar Installation Cost: $26,661
- 25-Year Savings: $30,556
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Albia
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Albia.
The average cost of a solar system in Albia is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Albia, most homeowners require a 9.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $26,661, or $38,125 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Albia can save around $20,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Albia
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,945 |
| 3 years | $-21,512 |
| 5 years | $-18,079 |
| 7 years | $-14,646 |
| 9 years | $-11,213 |
| 11 years | $-7,780 |
| 13 years | $-4,347 |
| 15 years | $-914 |
| 17 years | $2,519 |
| 19 years | $5,952 |
| 21 years | $9,385 |
| 23 years | $12,818 |
| 25 years | $16,251 |
Top Solar Installers in Albia
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra energy and know-how. For that reason, most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.
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
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 Albia
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Albia
The cost of installing a solar system in Albia can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Albia, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $4,010 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about 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 falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating throughout Albia, and each can charge different amounts for labor and 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 add-on services like electric vehicle 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 | $4.17 | $17,516 | $13,421 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $4.09 | $22,905 | $18,343 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $4.01 | $28,070 | $23,491 | 13.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.93 | $33,010 | $28,863 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.85 | $37,726 | $34,459 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.77 | $42,217 | $40,280 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.69 | $46,484 | $46,325 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.61 | $50,526 | $52,595 | 12.2 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. Since choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, make sure you read it through fully 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.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 good reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
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 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 Albia, IA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Albia?
The average cost of solar panels in Albia is about $20,050 for a 5-kW system and $40,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can solar panels eliminate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,031.21 per year.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.