Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sunapee, NH (2024 Update)

  • Sunapee Solar Installation Cost: $14,925
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,908
  • Payback Period: 14.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sunapee

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Sunapee.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Sunapee it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Sunapee is around 5.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,925 for a solar installation, or $21,343 before the 0 federal solar tax credit 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 use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a personalized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Sunapee

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,518
3 years $-10,704
5 years $-7,891
7 years $-5,077
9 years $-2,263
11 years $550
13 years $3,364
15 years $6,178
17 years $8,991
19 years $11,805
21 years $14,619
23 years $17,432
25 years $20,246

Top Solar Installers in Sunapee

Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a stressful task, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for your home.

If you're looking for a solar company in Sunapee, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Sunapee

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sunapee

The cost of installing a solar system in Sunapee can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Sunapee, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. 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 Sunapee to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind 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 final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of renewable energy solutions in Sunapee, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.

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 $12,681 14.8 years
8 kW $4.30 $24,105 $17,381 14.5 years
10 kW $4.22 $29,540 $22,317 14.2 years
12 kW $4.14 $34,739 $27,489 14.0 years
14 kW $4.05 $39,702 $32,897 13.7 years
16 kW $3.97 $44,428 $38,542 13.4 years
18 kW $3.88 $48,918 $44,424 13.1 years
20 kW $3.80 $53,172 $50,541 12.8 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to install plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies have different panels.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Sunapee, NH Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sunapee?

The average cost of solar panels in Sunapee is about $21,100 for a 5-kW system and $42,200 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Can you get solar panels for free in Sunapee?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Sunapee, 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.

Is it worth going solar in Sunapee?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of 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?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.

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