Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Liberty, IA (2024 Update)

  • North Liberty Solar Installation Cost: $27,053
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,859
  • Payback Period: 15.0 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 North Liberty

Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in North Liberty.

The average cost of a solar system in North Liberty is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in North Liberty, most homeowners require a 9.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $27,053, or $38,686 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you may vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in North Liberty for a personalized estimate.

Solar savings over time in North Liberty

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-25,337
3 years $-21,904
5 years $-18,471
7 years $-15,038
9 years $-11,605
11 years $-8,172
13 years $-4,739
15 years $-1,306
17 years $2,127
19 years $5,560
21 years $8,993
23 years $12,426
25 years $15,859

Top Solar Installers in North Liberty

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:

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 North Liberty

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Liberty

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

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $4,010. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in North Liberty offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for North Liberty homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in North Liberty, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 $10,623 15.6 years
8 kW $4.09 $22,905 $14,613 15.3 years
10 kW $4.01 $28,070 $18,828 15.0 years
12 kW $3.93 $33,010 $23,267 14.7 years
14 kW $3.85 $37,726 $27,931 14.4 years
16 kW $3.77 $42,217 $32,820 14.1 years
18 kW $3.69 $46,484 $37,933 13.8 years
20 kW $3.61 $50,526 $43,270 13.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies available in North Liberty, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.

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 North Liberty, IA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in North Liberty?

The average cost of solar panels in North Liberty 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.

Are solar panels free in North Liberty?

You can’t get solar panels for free in North Liberty. 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.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in North Liberty?

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How many solar panels should I get to power my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.

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.

Follow us