Solar Panel Cost Guide in Valley Falls, RI (2024 Update)

  • Valley Falls Solar Installation Cost: $11,860
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,671
  • Payback Period: 13.5 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 Valley Falls

We go over average solar pricing in Valley Falls.

In Valley Falls, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Valley Falls, most homeowners require a 4.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,860, or $16,960 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.With average savings of about $20,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Valley Falls find investing in solar can pay off big.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Valley Falls

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,329
3 years $-7,267
5 years $-4,205
7 years $-1,143
9 years $1,919
11 years $4,981
13 years $8,043
15 years $11,105
17 years $14,168
19 years $17,230
21 years $20,292
23 years $23,354
25 years $26,416

Top Solar Installers in Valley Falls

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be hard. A solar installer can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:

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 Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Valley Falls

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Valley Falls

For many Valley Falls homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Valley Falls, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Valley Falls, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. 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 Valley Falls to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Valley Falls 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 solar company you select will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.

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 $13,854 14.1 years
8 kW $4.15 $23,248 $18,928 13.8 years
10 kW $4.07 $28,490 $24,230 13.5 years
12 kW $3.99 $33,504 $29,760 13.2 years
14 kW $3.91 $38,291 $35,518 13.0 years
16 kW $3.83 $42,849 $41,503 12.7 years
18 kW $3.74 $47,179 $47,717 12.4 years
20 kW $3.66 $51,282 $54,159 12.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies available in Valley Falls, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.

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 Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Valley Falls, RI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Valley Falls?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,350 for a 5-kW system and $40,700 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 consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Valley Falls?

Solar panels aren’t free in Valley Falls, 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.

Do solar panels increase the value of your home?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Valley Falls is currently $391,091, so you could be looking at a value of about $16,035 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Valley Falls is a worthwhile investment.

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 choose 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.

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