Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Laurel, MD (2024 Update)
- West Laurel Solar Installation Cost: $13,517
- 25-Year Savings: $10,317
- Payback Period: 16.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Laurel
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in West Laurel.
In West Laurel, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average West Laurel homeowner needs a 5.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,517 with the federal tax credit, or $19,329 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average West Laurel homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West Laurel
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,103 |
| 3 years | $-9,274 |
| 5 years | $-6,445 |
| 7 years | $-3,616 |
| 9 years | $-788 |
| 11 years | $2,041 |
| 13 years | $4,870 |
| 15 years | $7,698 |
| 17 years | $10,527 |
| 19 years | $13,356 |
| 21 years | $16,185 |
| 23 years | $19,013 |
| 25 years | $21,842 |
Top Solar Installers in West Laurel
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra energy and knowledge. Because of that, most people choose a solar panel installer. Since solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 West Laurel
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Laurel
The cost of installing a solar system in West Laurel can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by 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
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, 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. 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 often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space 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. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in West Laurel, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating throughout West Laurel, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $7,519 | 16.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.61 | $20,220 | $10,422 | 16.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.54 | $24,780 | $13,523 | 16.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.47 | $29,141 | $16,823 | 15.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.40 | $33,304 | $20,320 | 15.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.33 | $37,269 | $24,016 | 15.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.26 | $41,036 | $27,910 | 14.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,604 | $32,002 | 14.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in West Laurel, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to get plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panels, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
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 West Laurel, MD Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Laurel?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in West Laurel?
A solar panel system isn’t free in West Laurel, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in West Laurel is currently $599,763, which means you could be looking at a value of about $24,590 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in West Laurel is a fruitful investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.