Solar Panel Cost Guide in Middlebury, VT (2024 Update)

  • Middlebury Solar Installation Cost: $15,073
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,522
  • Payback Period: 11.2 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 Middlebury

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Middlebury.

In Middlebury, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Middlebury, 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 only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $23,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in Middlebury, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Middlebury

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 Middlebury

When going solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.

Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Middlebury

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Middlebury

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

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions 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 searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Middlebury to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer 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.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Middlebury, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 $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

Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have various brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
  • Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Middlebury, VT Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Middlebury?

The average cost of solar panels in Middlebury is about $19,250 for a 5-kW system and $38,500 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.

What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can solar panels significantly reduce my energy bills?

It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Middlebury, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.

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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