Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Kingstown, RI (2024 Update)
- South Kingstown Solar Installation Cost: $11,262
- 25-Year Savings: $14,088
- Payback Period: 12.8 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Kingstown
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in South Kingstown.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in South Kingstown typically cost about 4.The average solar panel system size in South Kingstown is around 4.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,262 for a solar installation, or $16,105 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 panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in South Kingstown
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-9,731 |
3 years | $-6,669 |
5 years | $-3,607 |
7 years | $-545 |
9 years | $2,517 |
11 years | $5,579 |
13 years | $8,641 |
15 years | $11,703 |
17 years | $14,765 |
19 years | $17,827 |
21 years | $20,890 |
23 years | $23,952 |
25 years | $27,014 |
Top Solar Installers in South Kingstown
Installing solar panels on your own can be a stressful undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Local solar companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in South Kingstown, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 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 South Kingstown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Kingstown
The cost of installing a solar system in South Kingstown can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $4,070.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for 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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the South Kingstown average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many South Kingstown homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for South Kingstown homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in South Kingstown, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 kW | $4.23 | $17,778 | $15,534 | 13.3 years |
8 kW | $4.15 | $23,248 | $21,167 | 13.1 years |
10 kW | $4.07 | $28,490 | $27,029 | 12.8 years |
12 kW | $3.99 | $33,504 | $33,119 | 12.6 years |
14 kW | $3.91 | $38,291 | $39,436 | 12.3 years |
16 kW | $3.83 | $42,849 | $45,982 | 12.1 years |
18 kW | $3.74 | $47,179 | $52,755 | 11.8 years |
20 kW | $3.66 | $51,282 | $59,756 | 11.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in South Kingstown, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- 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 has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering 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 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 South Kingstown, RI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South Kingstown?
The average cost of solar panels in South Kingstown is about $20,350 for a 5-kW system and $40,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff 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 South Kingstown?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it usually 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Do solar panels increase your 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 South Kingstown is currently $624,891, so you can look forward to a value of about $25,621 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in South Kingstown is a fruitful investment.
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger 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.