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

  • Rockingham Solar Installation Cost: $14,521
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,933
  • Payback Period: 10.8 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Rockingham

Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Rockingham.

The average cost of a solar system in Rockingham is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Rockingham is around 5.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,521 for a solar installation, or $20,765 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Rockingham homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $24,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Rockingham find going solar 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 Rockingham

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,160
3 years $-10,438
5 years $-7,716
7 years $-4,995
9 years $-2,273
11 years $449
13 years $3,171
15 years $5,892
17 years $8,614
19 years $11,336
21 years $14,058
23 years $16,780
25 years $19,501

Top Solar Installers in Rockingham

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to use a solar company since installing a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.

If you're searching for a solar company in Rockingham, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

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 Rockingham

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rockingham

There are several criteria that can play into your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,850 per kilowatt in Rockingham.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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at 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 Rockingham provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s vital to consider that as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Rockingham, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within 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 $20,775 11.2 years
8 kW $3.93 $21,991 $28,131 11.0 years
10 kW $3.85 $26,950 $35,703 10.8 years
12 kW $3.77 $31,693 $43,490 10.5 years
14 kW $3.70 $36,221 $51,493 10.3 years
16 kW $3.62 $40,533 $59,712 10.1 years
18 kW $3.54 $44,629 $68,146 9.9 years
20 kW $3.47 $48,510 $76,796 9.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you choose.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.

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 Rockingham, VT Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Rockingham?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, 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 more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Rockingham?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Rockingham, 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 further reduce the cost.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Rockingham?

Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How long do solar panels last in Rockingham?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much 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.

Follow us