Solar Panel Cost Guide in Barnstead, NH (2024 Update)
- Barnstead Solar Installation Cost: $14,614
- 25-Year Savings: $16,686
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Barnstead
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Barnstead.
The average cost of solar panels in Barnstead is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Barnstead, most homeowners require a 4.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $14,614, or $20,898 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Barnstead for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Barnstead
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,207 |
| 3 years | $-10,393 |
| 5 years | $-7,580 |
| 7 years | $-4,766 |
| 9 years | $-1,952 |
| 11 years | $861 |
| 13 years | $3,675 |
| 15 years | $6,488 |
| 17 years | $9,302 |
| 19 years | $12,116 |
| 21 years | $14,929 |
| 23 years | $17,743 |
| 25 years | $20,557 |
Top Solar Installers in Barnstead
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Solar companies offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Barnstead, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 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 Barnstead
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Barnstead
For many Barnstead homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Barnstead, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Barnstead average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a popular option because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to 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 interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Barnstead is the company you get to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. 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 | $4.39 | $18,433 | $14,026 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $4.30 | $24,105 | $19,173 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $4.22 | $29,540 | $24,558 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $4.14 | $34,739 | $30,178 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $4.05 | $39,702 | $36,035 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.97 | $44,428 | $42,128 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.88 | $48,918 | $48,457 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.80 | $53,172 | $55,023 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a good company.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
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 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 Barnstead, NH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Barnstead?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $21,100 for a 5-kW system and $42,200 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 above-average energy needs. On the flip side, 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?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Barnstead?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.