Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northfield, NH (2024 Update)
- Northfield Solar Installation Cost: $14,710
- 25-Year Savings: $16,656
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northfield
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Northfield.
In Northfield, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Since a 5.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Northfield, the average price of going solar will be about $14,710 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in Northfield based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on power bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Northfield
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-13,259 |
3 years | $-10,356 |
5 years | $-7,453 |
7 years | $-4,551 |
9 years | $-1,648 |
11 years | $1,254 |
13 years | $4,157 |
15 years | $7,059 |
17 years | $9,962 |
19 years | $12,864 |
21 years | $15,767 |
23 years | $18,670 |
25 years | $21,572 |
Top Solar Installers in Northfield
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Since solar panels are exposed to temperature swings and extreme weather, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
Working with a vetted solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Northfield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northfield
There are a number of factors that can play into your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Northfield, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $4,220 for each additional kilowatt you need.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get 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, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Northfield average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Northfield to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Northfield, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $13,858 | 14.3 years |
8 kW | $4.30 | $24,105 | $18,950 | 14.0 years |
10 kW | $4.22 | $29,540 | $24,279 | 13.7 years |
12 kW | $4.14 | $34,739 | $29,843 | 13.4 years |
14 kW | $4.05 | $39,702 | $35,644 | 13.2 years |
16 kW | $3.97 | $44,428 | $41,682 | 12.9 years |
18 kW | $3.88 | $48,918 | $47,955 | 12.6 years |
20 kW | $3.80 | $53,172 | $54,465 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 positive reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to install plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Northfield, NH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Northfield?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $21,100 for a 5-kW system and $42,200 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Northfield?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Northfield is currently $393,080, so you could be looking at a value of about $16,116 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Northfield is a worthwhile investment.
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 replace them after having 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.