Solar Panel Cost Guide in Freedom, WI (2024 Update)
- Freedom Solar Installation Cost: $19,712
- 25-Year Savings: $23,244
- Payback Period: 13.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Freedom
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Freedom.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Freedom is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Freedom, most homeowners require a 7.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $19,712, or $28,188 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Freedom homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $19,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Freedom find investing in solar can pay off big.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Freedom
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,416 |
| 3 years | $-15,825 |
| 5 years | $-13,234 |
| 7 years | $-10,643 |
| 9 years | $-8,052 |
| 11 years | $-5,461 |
| 13 years | $-2,870 |
| 15 years | $-279 |
| 17 years | $2,312 |
| 19 years | $4,903 |
| 21 years | $7,494 |
| 23 years | $10,085 |
| 25 years | $12,676 |
Top Solar Installers in Freedom
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to go with a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives 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 Freedom
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Freedom
For many Freedom homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Freedom, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly 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 determines the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install 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
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Freedom homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Freedom, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that provides the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within your budget.
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 | $13,188 | 14.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.96 | $22,163 | $18,019 | 13.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.88 | $27,160 | $23,067 | 13.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.80 | $31,940 | $28,332 | 13.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.72 | $36,503 | $33,814 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.65 | $40,849 | $39,514 | 12.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.57 | $44,977 | $45,431 | 12.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.49 | $48,888 | $51,565 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will influence 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 a few important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and models of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
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 Freedom, WI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Freedom?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Freedom?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
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 Freedom is currently $378,961, so you can expect a value of about $15,537 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Freedom is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 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.