Solar Panel Cost Guide in Riverton, WY (2024 Update)

  • Riverton Solar Installation Cost: $36,610
  • 25-Year Savings: $49,990
  • Payback Period: 12.0 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

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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 Riverton

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Riverton.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Riverton it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Riverton is around 14.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $36,610 for a solar installation, or $52,352 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Riverton homeowners. The price 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.Many homeowners find going solar is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Riverton can save around $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Riverton

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-35,488
3 years $-33,243
5 years $-30,998
7 years $-28,753
9 years $-26,508
11 years $-24,263
13 years $-22,018
15 years $-19,773
17 years $-17,528
19 years $-15,283
21 years $-13,038
23 years $-10,793
25 years $-8,548

Top Solar Installers in Riverton

When going solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Plus, if you’re unsure what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar installer can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.

If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

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

Solar Veteran

Creative Energies

★★★★★
4.5

  • Certified B Corp
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Many years of experience
  • Multitude of products and services
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Slightly expensive

Outstanding Local Installer

ES Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Lifetime workmanship warranty
  • Outstanding customer service
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Energy audits only available 12 months after installation

See all of the solar companies in Riverton

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Riverton

For many Riverton homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Riverton, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Riverton, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,580 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions 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 searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Riverton provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Riverton homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Riverton, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Companies that 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want 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 $3.72 $15,637 $15,687 12.5 years
8 kW $3.65 $20,449 $21,318 12.2 years
10 kW $3.58 $25,060 $27,148 12.0 years
12 kW $3.51 $29,471 $33,179 11.8 years
14 kW $3.44 $33,681 $39,411 11.5 years
16 kW $3.37 $37,690 $45,843 11.3 years
18 kW $3.29 $41,499 $52,475 11.0 years
20 kW $3.22 $45,108 $59,308 10.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on 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: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.

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

Solar Veteran

Creative Energies

★★★★★
4.5

  • Certified B Corp
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Many years of experience
  • Multitude of products and services
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Slightly expensive

Outstanding Local Installer

ES Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Lifetime workmanship warranty
  • Outstanding customer service
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Energy audits only available 12 months after installation

EcoWatch's Riverton, WY Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Riverton?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,900 for a 5-kW system and $35,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, 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 Riverton?

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 can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Riverton?

Each state has some kind 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 give you credit toward your future energy bills.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 larger 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.

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