Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cedar Lake, IN (2024 Update)
- Cedar Lake Solar Installation Cost: $25,659
- 25-Year Savings: $29,785
- Payback Period: 13.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cedar Lake
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Cedar Lake.
In Cedar Lake, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Cedar Lake, most homeowners require a 8.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $25,659, or $36,692 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary based on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Cedar Lake can save about $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To receive a free estimate from a top solar installer in Cedar Lake, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cedar Lake
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,940 |
| 3 years | $-20,500 |
| 5 years | $-17,061 |
| 7 years | $-13,621 |
| 9 years | $-10,182 |
| 11 years | $-6,742 |
| 13 years | $-3,303 |
| 15 years | $137 |
| 17 years | $3,576 |
| 19 years | $7,015 |
| 21 years | $10,455 |
| 23 years | $13,894 |
| 25 years | $17,334 |
Top Solar Installers in Cedar Lake
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, if you’re unsure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Cedar Lake, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Cedar Lake
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cedar Lake
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Cedar Lake: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need, 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 $4,100. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof 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 add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cedar Lake to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Cedar Lake is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $4.26 | $17,909 | $13,336 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $4.18 | $23,419 | $18,240 | 14.1 years |
| 10 kW | $4.10 | $28,700 | $23,374 | 13.8 years |
| 12 kW | $4.02 | $33,751 | $28,737 | 13.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.94 | $38,573 | $34,331 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.85 | $43,165 | $40,153 | 13.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.77 | $47,527 | $46,206 | 12.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.69 | $51,660 | $52,488 | 12.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Cedar Lake, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model 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: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Cedar Lake, IN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cedar Lake?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $20,500 for a 5-kW system and $41,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other 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 go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Cedar Lake?
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.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can 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 install between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.