Solar Panel Cost Guide in Plain City, OH (2024 Update)
- Plain City Solar Installation Cost: $17,959
- 25-Year Savings: $13,947
- Payback Period: 16.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Plain City
We break down average solar pricing in Plain City.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Plain City is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Plain City, most homeowners require a 7.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,959, or $25,681 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $14,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Plain City find going solar can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Plain City that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Plain City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,941 |
| 3 years | $-14,904 |
| 5 years | $-12,868 |
| 7 years | $-10,831 |
| 9 years | $-8,794 |
| 11 years | $-6,758 |
| 13 years | $-4,721 |
| 15 years | $-2,685 |
| 17 years | $-648 |
| 19 years | $1,389 |
| 21 years | $3,425 |
| 23 years | $5,462 |
| 25 years | $7,498 |
Top Solar Installers in Plain City
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a stressful project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another great thing about going with a reliable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Plain City:
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Plain City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Plain City
The cost of installing a solar system in Plain City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,410 per kilowatt in Plain City.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Generally, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Plain City offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, 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 above the equipment and labor 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
The remaining significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Plain City, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, 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 | $3.55 | $14,895 | $6,979 | 17.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $9,688 | 16.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $12,587 | 16.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $15,677 | 16.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $18,958 | 15.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $22,431 | 15.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $26,094 | 15.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $29,948 | 14.7 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. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Plain City, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Plain City?
The average cost of solar panels in Plain City is about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Plain City?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Plain City?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Plain City?
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to 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.