Solar Panel Cost Guide in Prairie du Sac, WI (2024 Update)

  • Prairie du Sac Solar Installation Cost: $19,880
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,919
  • Payback Period: 14.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 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 Prairie du Sac

See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Prairie du Sac.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Prairie du Sac typically cost about 4.The average Prairie du Sac homeowner needs a 7.3-kilowatt system, which would cost about $19,880 with the federal tax credit, or $28,428 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Prairie du Sac depending on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With average savings of about $18,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Prairie du Sac find going solar can be quite rewarding.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a personalized quote.

Solar savings over time in Prairie du Sac

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-18,772
3 years $-16,558
5 years $-14,343
7 years $-12,128
9 years $-9,914
11 years $-7,699
13 years $-5,484
15 years $-3,270
17 years $-1,055
19 years $1,160
21 years $3,374
23 years $5,589
25 years $7,803

Top Solar Installers in Prairie du Sac

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. A solar company can also help save you money in the long run by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Prairie du Sac, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Prairie du Sac

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Prairie du Sac

Even though the average cost of a solar system in Prairie du Sac is $19,880, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few 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

The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,880. The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Prairie du Sac, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total 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 remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Prairie du Sac is the company you get 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 for different budgets.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment 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 size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $4.04 $16,948 $11,120 15.1 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $15,261 14.8 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $19,620 14.5 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $24,195 14.2 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $28,988 13.9 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $33,999 13.6 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $39,226 13.4 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $44,671 13.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:

  • Contract: Read 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 offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Prairie du Sac, WI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Prairie du Sac?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Prairie du Sac?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure 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 financial benefits from going solar.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

How long do solar panels last in Prairie du Sac?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.

Follow us