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

  • Coralville Solar Installation Cost: $27,053
  • 25-Year Savings: $25,247
  • Payback Period: 15.4 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 Coralville

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Coralville.

The average cost of solar panels in Coralville is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Coralville, most homeowners require a 9.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $27,053, or $38,686 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $17,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Coralville that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Coralville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-25,596
3 years $-22,682
5 years $-19,768
7 years $-16,854
9 years $-13,940
11 years $-11,026
13 years $-8,112
15 years $-5,198
17 years $-2,284
19 years $631
21 years $3,545
23 years $6,459
25 years $9,373

Top Solar Installers in Coralville

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Hiring an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Plus, if you’re not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Coralville:

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 Coralville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Coralville

The cost of installing a solar system in Coralville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Coralville, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $4,010 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Coralville average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Coralville to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to green energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in Coralville, and each can charge different amounts 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 come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within 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 $9,835 16.0 years
8 kW $4.09 $22,905 $13,563 15.7 years
10 kW $4.01 $28,070 $17,515 15.4 years
12 kW $3.93 $33,010 $21,692 15.1 years
14 kW $3.85 $37,726 $26,093 14.8 years
16 kW $3.77 $42,217 $30,719 14.5 years
18 kW $3.69 $46,484 $35,569 14.2 years
20 kW $3.61 $50,526 $40,644 13.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you opt for will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things 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 secure and how long the project will take.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.

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 Coralville, IA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Coralville?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Coralville?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Coralville. 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’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Is it worth going solar in Coralville?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How long do solar panels last in Coralville?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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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