Solar Panel Cost Guide in Glendive, MT (2024 Update)
- Glendive Solar Installation Cost: $42,249
- 25-Year Savings: $32,324
- Payback Period: 16.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Glendive
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Glendive.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Glendive typically cost about 3.The average solar panel system size in Glendive is around 17.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $42,249 for a solar installation, or $60,416 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Glendive can save about $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Glendive
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-41,109 |
| 3 years | $-38,828 |
| 5 years | $-36,547 |
| 7 years | $-34,267 |
| 9 years | $-31,986 |
| 11 years | $-29,705 |
| 13 years | $-27,424 |
| 15 years | $-25,144 |
| 17 years | $-22,863 |
| 19 years | $-20,582 |
| 21 years | $-18,301 |
| 23 years | $-16,021 |
| 25 years | $-13,740 |
Top Solar Installers in Glendive
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a challenging undertaking, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a professional solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Glendive
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Glendive
For many Glendive homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Glendive, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $3,470. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Glendive, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, 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 Glendive to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you pick will impact your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $3.61 | $15,157 | $6,661 | 17.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $9,270 | 17.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $12,074 | 16.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $15,071 | 16.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $18,263 | 16.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $21,649 | 15.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $25,230 | 15.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $29,005 | 15.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s essential to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Glendive, MT Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Glendive?
The average cost of solar panels in Glendive is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Glendive?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Glendive?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 choose 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.