Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hidden Valley, IN (2024 Update)
- Hidden Valley Solar Installation Cost: $24,917
- 25-Year Savings: $22,524
- Payback Period: 16.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hidden Valley
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Hidden Valley.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Hidden Valley, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Hidden Valley, most homeowners require a 8.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $24,917, or $35,631 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 exact cost of going solar can vary based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Hidden Valley homeowner can save around $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Hidden Valley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,591 |
| 3 years | $-20,940 |
| 5 years | $-18,289 |
| 7 years | $-15,637 |
| 9 years | $-12,986 |
| 11 years | $-10,335 |
| 13 years | $-7,684 |
| 15 years | $-5,032 |
| 17 years | $-2,381 |
| 19 years | $270 |
| 21 years | $2,921 |
| 23 years | $5,572 |
| 25 years | $8,224 |
Top Solar Installers in Hidden Valley
Installing solar panels on your own can be a time-consuming project, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Because solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
Working with a vetted solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Hidden Valley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hidden Valley
There are many criteria that can influence your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production require 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 $4,100.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost 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. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Hidden Valley average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a popular choice because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to green energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Hidden Valley, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater 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 discount can bring their pricing down 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 | $8,914 | 16.7 years |
| 8 kW | $4.18 | $23,419 | $12,344 | 16.4 years |
| 10 kW | $4.10 | $28,700 | $16,004 | 16.0 years |
| 12 kW | $4.02 | $33,751 | $19,894 | 15.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.94 | $38,573 | $24,013 | 15.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.85 | $43,165 | $28,362 | 15.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.77 | $47,527 | $32,941 | 14.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.69 | $51,660 | $37,749 | 14.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company 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 EcoWatch.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
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 Hidden Valley, IN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Hidden Valley?
The average cost of solar panels in Hidden Valley is about $20,500 for a 5-kW system and $41,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $894.09 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.