Solar Panel Cost Guide in Walkersville, MD (2024 Update)
- Walkersville Solar Installation Cost: $14,045
- 25-Year Savings: $5,334
- Payback Period: 21.5 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Walkersville
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Walkersville.
In Walkersville, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Since a 5.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Walkersville, the average price of going solar will be about $14,045 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs will most likely look different based on your energy needs and what company you go with.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Walkersville see about $11,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Walkersville that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Walkersville
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-12,792 |
3 years | $-10,287 |
5 years | $-7,782 |
7 years | $-5,277 |
9 years | $-2,772 |
11 years | $-266 |
13 years | $2,239 |
15 years | $4,744 |
17 years | $7,249 |
19 years | $9,754 |
21 years | $12,259 |
23 years | $14,764 |
25 years | $17,270 |
Top Solar Installers in Walkersville
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra effort and handiness. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another benefit of using a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Walkersville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Walkersville
The cost of installing a solar system in Walkersville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, 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 $3,540. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Walkersville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Walkersville to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar system can play a part in determining your pricing. Walkersville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 kW | $3.68 | $15,463 | $1,817 | 22.4 years |
8 kW | $3.61 | $20,220 | $2,820 | 21.9 years |
10 kW | $3.54 | $24,780 | $4,020 | 21.5 years |
12 kW | $3.47 | $29,141 | $5,419 | 21.1 years |
14 kW | $3.40 | $33,304 | $7,016 | 20.6 years |
16 kW | $3.33 | $37,269 | $8,811 | 20.2 years |
18 kW | $3.26 | $41,036 | $10,805 | 19.8 years |
20 kW | $3.19 | $44,604 | $12,996 | 19.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies offer different panels.
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Walkersville, MD Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Walkersville?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,700 for a 5-kW system and $35,400 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 usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Walkersville?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.