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

  • Wakefield Solar Installation Cost: $14,725
  • 25-Year Savings: $16,586
  • Payback Period: 13.8 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 Wakefield

Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Wakefield.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Wakefield it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.0-kW system would cost about $14,725 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 may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $20,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Wakefield find going solar can be quite rewarding.

For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Wakefield

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,318
3 years $-10,504
5 years $-7,691
7 years $-4,877
9 years $-2,063
11 years $750
13 years $3,564
15 years $6,378
17 years $9,191
19 years $12,005
21 years $14,819
23 years $17,632
25 years $20,446

Top Solar Installers in Wakefield

Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a stressful task, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Solar companies offer key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Wakefield, we've 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 Wakefield

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Wakefield

There are many factors that can determine your 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

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system in cash is difficult, solar loans are an affordable choice because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Wakefield, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.

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 $13,754 14.3 years
8 kW $4.30 $24,105 $18,811 14.0 years
10 kW $4.22 $29,540 $24,105 13.8 years
12 kW $4.14 $34,739 $29,635 13.5 years
14 kW $4.05 $39,702 $35,401 13.2 years
16 kW $3.97 $44,428 $41,403 12.9 years
18 kW $3.88 $48,918 $47,642 12.7 years
20 kW $3.80 $53,172 $54,117 12.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven 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 positive reviews from past customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.

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 Wakefield, NH Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, 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 be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Wakefield?

Solar panels aren’t free in Wakefield, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.

Does Wakefield have a net metering program?

Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future utility bills.

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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.

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