Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oak Harbor, WA (2024 Update)
- Oak Harbor Solar Installation Cost: $11,854
- 25-Year Savings: $9,952
- Payback Period: 15.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Oak Harbor
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Oak Harbor.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Oak Harbor it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Oak Harbor is around 4.7 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,854 for a solar installation, or $16,951 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember 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 equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $16,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Oak Harbor find going solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Oak Harbor that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Oak Harbor
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,578 |
| 3 years | $-8,026 |
| 5 years | $-5,474 |
| 7 years | $-2,922 |
| 9 years | $-371 |
| 11 years | $2,181 |
| 13 years | $4,733 |
| 15 years | $7,285 |
| 17 years | $9,837 |
| 19 years | $12,388 |
| 21 years | $14,940 |
| 23 years | $17,492 |
| 25 years | $20,044 |
Top Solar Installers in Oak Harbor
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installer since handling can be a challenging project. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.
If you're looking for a solar company in Oak Harbor, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Oak Harbor
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oak Harbor
While the average cost of a solar system in Oak Harbor is $11,854, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,590 per kilowatt in Oak Harbor.The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Oak Harbor homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Oak Harbor homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you opt for to handle your switch to solar energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Oak Harbor, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car 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 | $3.73 | $15,681 | $8,157 | 16.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $11,278 | 16.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $14,601 | 15.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $18,124 | 15.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $21,848 | 15.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $25,773 | 14.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $29,900 | 14.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $34,227 | 14.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry different brands and models of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
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 Oak Harbor, WA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Oak Harbor?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Oak Harbor?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Is it worth going solar in Oak Harbor?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Oak Harbor?
Even though 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 choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.