Solar Panel Cost Guide in Stoughton, WI (2024 Update)
- Stoughton Solar Installation Cost: $19,756
- 25-Year Savings: $21,077
- Payback Period: 14.4 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Stoughton
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Stoughton.
The average cost of solar panels in Stoughton is 4 per watt.Since a 7.3-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Stoughton, the average price of going solar will be about $19,756 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Stoughton homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Stoughton can save about $18,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Stoughton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,649 |
| 3 years | $-16,435 |
| 5 years | $-14,220 |
| 7 years | $-12,005 |
| 9 years | $-9,791 |
| 11 years | $-7,576 |
| 13 years | $-5,361 |
| 15 years | $-3,147 |
| 17 years | $-932 |
| 19 years | $1,283 |
| 21 years | $3,497 |
| 23 years | $5,712 |
| 25 years | $7,927 |
Top Solar Installers in Stoughton
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Local solar companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can benefit from and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Stoughton, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Stoughton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Stoughton
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Stoughton: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important 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 Stoughton.The type of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Furthermore, 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 looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Stoughton, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of 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 original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Stoughton, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $11,357 | 15.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.96 | $22,163 | $15,577 | 14.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.88 | $27,160 | $20,015 | 14.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.80 | $31,940 | $24,669 | 14.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.72 | $36,503 | $29,541 | 13.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.65 | $40,849 | $34,631 | 13.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.57 | $44,977 | $39,937 | 13.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.49 | $48,888 | $45,461 | 13.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure you look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- 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 Stoughton, WI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Stoughton?
The average cost of solar panels in Stoughton is about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual 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 it better to lease or buy solar panels in Stoughton?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Stoughton?
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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level 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.