Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Johnsbury, VT (2024 Update)
- St. Johnsbury Solar Installation Cost: $15,325
- 25-Year Savings: $20,679
- Payback Period: 11.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Johnsbury
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in St. Johnsbury.
In St. Johnsbury, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in St. Johnsbury is around 5.7 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $15,325 for a solar installation, or $21,915 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average St. Johnsbury homeowners see about $21,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar company in St. Johnsbury, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Johnsbury
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,964 |
| 3 years | $-11,243 |
| 5 years | $-8,521 |
| 7 years | $-5,799 |
| 9 years | $-3,077 |
| 11 years | $-356 |
| 13 years | $2,366 |
| 15 years | $5,088 |
| 17 years | $7,810 |
| 19 years | $10,531 |
| 21 years | $13,253 |
| 23 years | $15,975 |
| 25 years | $18,697 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Johnsbury
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in St. Johnsbury:
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 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 St. Johnsbury
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Johnsbury
For many St. Johnsbury homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Johnsbury, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in St. Johnsbury, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,850 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in St. Johnsbury offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose will influence your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $17,056 | 12.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.93 | $21,991 | $23,172 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.85 | $26,950 | $29,504 | 11.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.77 | $31,693 | $36,052 | 11.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.70 | $36,221 | $42,815 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.62 | $40,533 | $49,794 | 11.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.54 | $44,629 | $56,989 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.47 | $48,510 | $64,399 | 10.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel 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:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you choose.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 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 St. Johnsbury, VT Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Johnsbury?
The average cost of solar panels in St. Johnsbury 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in St. Johnsbury?
You can’t get solar panels for free in St. Johnsbury. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 level 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.