Solar Panel Cost Guide in Orchards, WA (2024 Update)
- Orchards Solar Installation Cost: $11,156
- 25-Year Savings: $10,470
- Payback Period: 14.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Orchards
We go over average solar pricing in Orchards.
The average cost of solar panels in Orchards is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Orchards, most homeowners require a 4.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,156, or $15,953 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true price you pay can be above or below the average in Orchards based on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Orchards see about $17,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a top solar company in Orchards, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Orchards
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,063 |
| 3 years | $-7,878 |
| 5 years | $-5,692 |
| 7 years | $-3,507 |
| 9 years | $-1,321 |
| 11 years | $864 |
| 13 years | $3,049 |
| 15 years | $5,235 |
| 17 years | $7,420 |
| 19 years | $9,606 |
| 21 years | $11,791 |
| 23 years | $13,977 |
| 25 years | $16,162 |
Top Solar Installers in Orchards
Installing solar panels on your own can be a stressful undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
Working with a professional solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Orchards
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Orchards
There are several factors that can influence your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Orchards average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Orchards provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. Orchards’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $9,648 | 15.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $13,267 | 15.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $17,086 | 14.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $21,106 | 14.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $25,328 | 14.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $29,750 | 14.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $34,373 | 13.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $39,198 | 13.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
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 Orchards, WA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Orchards?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Orchards?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Orchards. 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.
How will installing solar panels impact the value of my home?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Orchards is currently $624,599, which means you can look forward to a value of about $25,609 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Orchards is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in Orchards?
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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.