Solar Panel Cost Guide in Norfolk, MA (2024 Update)
- Norfolk Solar Installation Cost: $12,529
- 25-Year Savings: $16,941
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Norfolk
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Norfolk.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Norfolk typically cost about 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Norfolk, most homeowners require a 4.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,529, or $17,916 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Norfolk depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With typical savings of about $22,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Norfolk find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Norfolk for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Norfolk
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,806 |
| 3 years | $-7,359 |
| 5 years | $-3,912 |
| 7 years | $-465 |
| 9 years | $2,982 |
| 11 years | $6,428 |
| 13 years | $9,875 |
| 15 years | $13,322 |
| 17 years | $16,769 |
| 19 years | $20,216 |
| 21 years | $23,663 |
| 23 years | $27,110 |
| 25 years | $30,557 |
Top Solar Installers in Norfolk
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a difficult project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Norfolk
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Norfolk
The cost of installing a solar system in Norfolk can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to solar energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Norfolk, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $4.22 | $17,734 | $17,669 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $24,014 | 12.3 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $30,586 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $37,385 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $44,412 | 11.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $51,666 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $59,147 | 11.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $66,856 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company 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 a few important things you should consider, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
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 Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Norfolk, MA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Norfolk?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Norfolk?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Norfolk. 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 prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is going solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Norfolk?
Even though 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having 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.