Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clinton, IA (2024 Update)

  • Clinton Solar Installation Cost: $27,196
  • 25-Year Savings: $27,646
  • Payback Period: 14.6 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Clinton

See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Clinton.

In Clinton, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 9.7-kW system would cost about $27,196 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

The true price you pay can be above or below the average in Clinton depending on a variety of factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With average savings of about $18,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Clinton find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a custom estimate.

Solar savings over time in Clinton

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-25,479
3 years $-22,046
5 years $-18,613
7 years $-15,180
9 years $-11,747
11 years $-8,314
13 years $-4,881
15 years $-1,448
17 years $1,985
19 years $5,418
21 years $8,851
23 years $12,284
25 years $15,717

Top Solar Installers in Clinton

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since installing solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

Working with a vetted solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Clinton

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clinton

Though the average cost of a solar system in Clinton is $27,196, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $4,010.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Clinton, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to include 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 last significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Clinton, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and 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 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 $4.17 $17,516 $11,239 15.2 years
8 kW $4.09 $22,905 $15,434 14.9 years
10 kW $4.01 $28,070 $19,854 14.6 years
12 kW $3.93 $33,010 $24,499 14.4 years
14 kW $3.85 $37,726 $29,368 14.1 years
16 kW $3.77 $42,217 $34,461 13.8 years
18 kW $3.69 $46,484 $39,779 13.5 years
20 kW $3.61 $50,526 $45,322 13.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer various brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Clinton, IA Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,050 for a 5-kW system and $40,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Clinton, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How long do solar panels last in Clinton?

Though 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 their energy production 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.

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