Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rome, OH (2024 Update)
- Rome Solar Installation Cost: $17,642
- 25-Year Savings: $20,210
- Payback Period: 13.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rome
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Rome.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Rome is 3 per watt.Because a 7.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Rome, the average price of going solar will be about $17,642 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Rome homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $17,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Rome find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Rome
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,310 |
| 3 years | $-13,646 |
| 5 years | $-10,982 |
| 7 years | $-8,318 |
| 9 years | $-5,654 |
| 11 years | $-2,990 |
| 13 years | $-326 |
| 15 years | $2,338 |
| 17 years | $5,002 |
| 19 years | $7,666 |
| 21 years | $10,330 |
| 23 years | $12,994 |
| 25 years | $15,658 |
Top Solar Installers in Rome
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra effort and handiness. For that reason, most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
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 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 Rome
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rome
The cost of installing a solar system in Rome can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, 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 determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. 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 brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Rome provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Rome homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Rome, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $12,263 | 13.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $16,733 | 13.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $21,393 | 13.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $26,245 | 12.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $31,287 | 12.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $36,521 | 12.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $41,945 | 12.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $47,561 | 11.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
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 Rome, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rome?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Rome?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Rome. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $905.27 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Rome?
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having 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.