Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cumberland, ME (2024 Update)
- Cumberland Solar Installation Cost: $13,948
- 25-Year Savings: $12,247
- Payback Period: 15.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cumberland
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Cumberland.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Cumberland is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Cumberland, most homeowners require a 5.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $13,948, or $19,946 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Cumberland depending on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With typical savings of about $16,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Cumberland find going solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Cumberland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,810 |
| 3 years | $-10,534 |
| 5 years | $-8,257 |
| 7 years | $-5,981 |
| 9 years | $-3,704 |
| 11 years | $-1,428 |
| 13 years | $849 |
| 15 years | $3,125 |
| 17 years | $5,402 |
| 19 years | $7,678 |
| 21 years | $9,955 |
| 23 years | $12,231 |
| 25 years | $14,508 |
Top Solar Installers in Cumberland
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel installer since installing solar panels yourself can be hard. Solar warranties and repairs are usually included in the cost of installation when you hire a solar contractor too, which can save you more money after your initial investment.
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 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 Cumberland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cumberland
The cost of installing a solar system in Cumberland can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,800 per kilowatt in Cumberland.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Cumberland, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s important to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Cumberland, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $3.95 | $16,598 | $9,301 | 16.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.88 | $21,706 | $12,827 | 15.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.80 | $26,600 | $16,565 | 15.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.72 | $31,282 | $20,517 | 15.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.65 | $35,750 | $24,681 | 14.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.57 | $40,006 | $29,058 | 14.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.50 | $44,050 | $33,648 | 14.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.42 | $47,880 | $38,451 | 13.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you opt for will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds 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 keep in mind, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of 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.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Read the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
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 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 Cumberland, ME Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cumberland?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $19,000 for a 5-kW system and $38,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra 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 opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Cumberland?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Cumberland, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Cumberland, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.