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

  • Tiffin Solar Installation Cost: $27,053
  • 25-Year Savings: $26,759
  • Payback Period: 14.9 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 Tiffin

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Tiffin.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Tiffin, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average Tiffin homeowner needs a 9.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $27,053 with the federal tax credit, or $38,686 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The exact cost of going solar can vary depending on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Tiffin can save about $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Tiffin

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 Tiffin

Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Another good thing about choosing a reliable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:

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 Tiffin

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Tiffin

For many Tiffin homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Tiffin, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Tiffin, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited 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 many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Tiffin homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going 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 how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can influence your pricing. Tiffin’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.

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 $10,777 15.5 years
8 kW $4.09 $22,905 $14,818 15.2 years
10 kW $4.01 $28,070 $19,084 14.9 years
12 kW $3.93 $33,010 $23,574 14.6 years
14 kW $3.85 $37,726 $28,289 14.3 years
16 kW $3.77 $42,217 $33,229 14.0 years
18 kW $3.69 $46,484 $38,393 13.7 years
20 kW $3.61 $50,526 $43,781 13.4 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 tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar panel system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.

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 Tiffin, IA Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Tiffin is about $20,050 for a 5-kW system and $40,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Is going solar worth it?

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

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 uses 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.

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