Solar Panel Cost Guide in Eau Claire, WI (2024 Update)
- Eau Claire Solar Installation Cost: $20,102
- 25-Year Savings: $23,188
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Eau Claire
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Eau Claire.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Eau Claire, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average Eau Claire homeowner needs a 7.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $20,102 with the federal tax credit, or $28,746 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with.Even with the high initial cost, the average Eau Claire homeowner can save around $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Eau Claire that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Eau Claire
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,998 |
| 3 years | $-16,789 |
| 5 years | $-14,581 |
| 7 years | $-12,372 |
| 9 years | $-10,164 |
| 11 years | $-7,955 |
| 13 years | $-5,747 |
| 15 years | $-3,538 |
| 17 years | $-1,330 |
| 19 years | $879 |
| 21 years | $3,087 |
| 23 years | $5,296 |
| 25 years | $7,504 |
Top Solar Installers in Eau Claire
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by providing warranties and repairs.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Eau Claire
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Eau Claire
The cost of installing a solar system in Eau Claire can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,880 per kilowatt in Eau Claire.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Eau Claire, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Eau Claire to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Eau Claire is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.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 specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $4.04 | $16,948 | $12,769 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.96 | $22,163 | $17,460 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.88 | $27,160 | $22,369 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.80 | $31,940 | $27,494 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.72 | $36,503 | $32,837 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.65 | $40,849 | $38,397 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.57 | $44,977 | $44,174 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.49 | $48,888 | $50,169 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Eau Claire, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Eau Claire, WI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Eau Claire?
The average cost of solar panels in Eau Claire is about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 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 consume.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely 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 Eau Claire?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.