Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bristol, VT (2024 Update)
- Bristol Solar Installation Cost: $15,073
- 25-Year Savings: $22,522
- Payback Period: 11.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bristol
We break down average solar pricing in Bristol.
The average cost of a solar system in Bristol is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Bristol, most homeowners require a 5.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $15,073, or $21,554 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will vary based on your energy needs and what company you go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Bristol can save around $23,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Bristol that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Bristol
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,712 |
| 3 years | $-10,990 |
| 5 years | $-8,268 |
| 7 years | $-5,547 |
| 9 years | $-2,825 |
| 11 years | $-103 |
| 13 years | $2,619 |
| 15 years | $5,341 |
| 17 years | $8,062 |
| 19 years | $10,784 |
| 21 years | $13,506 |
| 23 years | $16,228 |
| 25 years | $18,949 |
Top Solar Installers in Bristol
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be hard. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over time.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Bristol
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bristol
For many Bristol homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Bristol, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,850. The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Bristol is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for 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 | $4.00 | $16,817 | $19,398 | 11.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.93 | $21,991 | $26,296 | 11.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.85 | $26,950 | $33,409 | 11.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.77 | $31,693 | $40,737 | 10.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.70 | $36,221 | $48,281 | 10.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.62 | $40,533 | $56,041 | 10.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.54 | $44,629 | $64,016 | 10.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.47 | $48,510 | $72,207 | 10.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of 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:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panel system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Bristol, VT Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Bristol?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $19,250 for a 5-kW system and $38,500 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 higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Bristol?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.