Solar Panel Cost Guide in Montesano, WA (2024 Update)

  • Montesano Solar Installation Cost: $11,220
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,422
  • Payback Period: 15.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 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 Montesano

We break down average solar pricing in Montesano.

The average cost of a solar system in Montesano is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Montesano, most homeowners require a 4.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,220, or $16,045 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Montesano homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the large upfront cost, the average Montesano homeowner can save around $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Montesano

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-9,732
3 years$-6,756
5 years$-3,779
7 years$-803
9 years$2,174
11 years$5,150
13 years$8,126
15 years$11,103
17 years$14,079
19 years$17,056
21 years$20,032
23 years$23,009
25 years$25,985

Top Solar Installers in Montesano

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be hard. Another benefit of using a solar company is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

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 Montesano

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Montesano

For many Montesano homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Montesano, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of 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. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. 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 falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, 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.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Montesano is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.73$15,681$9,50315.6 years
8 kW$3.66$20,506$13,07315.3 years
10 kW$3.59$25,130$16,84315.0 years
12 kW$3.52$29,553$20,81514.7 years
14 kW$3.45$33,775$24,98814.4 years
16 kW$3.37$37,796$29,36214.1 years
18 kW$3.30$41,615$33,93713.8 years
20 kW$3.23$45,234$38,71313.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose significantly affects your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.

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 Montesano, WA Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Montesano is about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?

Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

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

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system generates 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount 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.