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The average cost of solar panels is between $18,000 and $43,000
Average solar panel installation costs generally start between $13,931 and $27,861 in Connecticut.
The investment often tends to pay off over time. On average, Connecticut homeowners with solar panels avoid $79,390 in total utility costs over 25 years.
For residents like Brian in Hampton, solar panels are worth it in Connecticut for a combination of reasons: “I decided I wanted to install solar to help manage my energy cost; reduce my reliance on the grid and contribute (to) the environmental benefits of solar,” he told us.
But how much money you actually pay to go solar — and how much you can save — depends on several factors.
System size, whether or not you want to add an energy storage battery and the condition of your roof also have a big impact on your overall costs.
Going solar is like buying a car. You could pay cash, but most people finance or lease with minimum upfront costs.
Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 6.2 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).
Compare quotes from at least three to four different solar companies before making a decision.
Before considering any incentives, a 7-kilowatt (kW) solar panel system costs $19,503 in Connecticut. Prices in Hartford are comparable, ranging from $13,372 to $26,744.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Connecticut
NOTE: The estimated costs above do not include the price of a solar storage battery. Adding a battery can double your total costs.
For a lot of residents, going solar is worth it in Connecticut for the long-term savings on utility bills.
For instance, Michael in Somers saw his summer electric bill go from $800 to $19 in the first year with solar panels. He told us he lives in a 5,000-square-foot home, and his annual electric bill dropped from $4,000 to around just $100.
But it doesn’t work out for everyone. Cara in East Haven had issues with roof leaks after the panels were installed. She also still has high electric bills some months — combined with solar panel payments, it ends up more expensive than what she was paying for just electricity before.
We suggest comparing a few cost estimates. Weigh your installation costs against how much you can save over time. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator is a good resource to see how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house.
Whether going solar is worth it also depends on where you live in Connecticut. The state only gets 2.5 to 3.5 peak sun hours daily. Lots of shading — like tall trees above your roof — will make your solar system less efficient. Since solar panels generate more power with more sunlight, this can affect the financial returns on your investment.
» STILL NOT SURE? Solar energy pros and cons
How much you pay to go solar largely depends on the size of your system, the equipment you want and the condition of your roof. Local permits and fees are a small part of your overall costs.
A typical Connecticut household needs about a 7 kW system, which costs $19,530 on average. Depending on your energy needs, you might need a smaller or larger system.
How to estimate what system size you need: First, look at your electric bill. It should say how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you used last year. Then, divide that number by 1,200 to estimate your system size in kilowatts (kW).
For example, if you used 12,000 kWh of electricity last year, you would need a 10-kW system. If you used 10,800 kWh, you would need a 9-kW system.
Upgrade old appliances with more eco-friendly ones before you go solar. If you use less electricity, you need fewer solar panels, which makes the entire system more cost-effective.
» WATT’S THE DIFFERENCE? kW vs. kWh
The equipment — panels, inverters, mounting hardware and other electrical accessories — is typically the largest portion of your overall solar costs (approximately 25% to 50%).
Prices vary depending on efficiency rating. In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best bang for your buck. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline.
You might also have to spend more if aesthetics are important to you. For example, Angela in Branford assumed that her panels would be black, but they weren’t. “Black would be an additional charge. We decided it wasn’t worth the additional charge to get it,” she said.
High-quality solar panels last 25 to 30 years, and your roof needs to last just as long.
ConsumerAffairs often hears from disgruntled solar customers who feel blindsided by expensive roof repairs needed after their solar panel installation was complete. This is a frustrating and expensive process — avoid it if you can.
To ensure a seamless and cost-effective solar journey, your roof must match the system’s longevity. Get your roof inspected, fixed or replaced before you go solar.
Labor, which includes planning, preparing and connecting your solar system to the grid, accounts for 10% to 30% of total costs. Solar equipment costs are going down, but labor costs are still relatively high in some parts of the state.
You might be tempted to install the system yourself. DIY solar panels are cheaper, but there are potential issues: Incorrectly installed solar panels can cause roof leaks, electrical safety risks and other dangerous problems.
If you have an electric car, ask about EV charger options. Homeowners in more rural parts of Connecticut should also consider critter guards to protect the panels.
» RELATED: How many solar panels do you need for your house?
Each Connecticut town has different permits and zoning processes. For instance, all Southbury permits are online. But in Derby, you have to call an electrical inspector on the phone. In Middlebury, there’s an online permit for rooftop solar, but ground-mounted systems require a separate zoning permit. The fees also vary from town to town.
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) has some information about local requirements. However, it’s best to directly contact your municipality for the most up-to-date information about solar permits and fees. Installation may require additional approvals if your home is in a designated historic district.
Solar panels have relatively low maintenance costs. If you clean the solar panels yourself, the only maintenance cost will be the water used to hose them down. Hiring a professional to clean your solar panels typically costs between $100 and $350.
One resident, Craig in Bloomfield, had to pay extra for snow shields. “The snow shields collect debris from trees and it gets trapped under the panel. The snow guards also prevent trying to clean the debris off,” Craig told us. It would cost another $600 to remove the snow shields.
Get quotes from at least three to four different solar companies in Connecticut. One solar company reviewer, Brian in Shelton, said the cost estimates for his installation varied by $30,000.
Most installers set the price according to the system’s wattage. Similar to “cost per square foot” when buying a house, “cost per watt” allows you to compare the relative value of a solar panel system. It shows you the per-dollar price of your system’s energy production potential.
According to our latest research, the average cost per watt is $2.79 in Connecticut.
Cost per watt and total solar panel system costs in Connecticut
Financing options and leasing programs make going solar much more affordable for the average Connecticut resident. In an ideal scenario, your solar power system generates enough extra power to cancel out your monthly payment.
» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy
There are still a few solar incentives in Connecticut. Most residents can qualify for a property tax exemption for the value a solar system adds to their house, and there’s a 100% sales tax exemption on solar equipment. You can also sometimes save money through solar panel manufacturers’ rebates.
Connecticut no longer offers traditional net metering for new solar customers. The state’s Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) Program is designed to mimic the savings of net metering while giving you a predictable 20-year compensation structure. It’s a great deal for some homeowners.
“My utility company actually owes me money,” Dale in Manchester told us. “Especially during the summertime, I generate a significant amount of power. For instance, so far this year, they owe me between $1,600 to $1,700, and by the end of the summer, it could be as much as $2,500 to $3,000.”
In simple terms, you still get credited for extra electricity your panels send to the grid — either as bill credits or as cash payments. This happens in one of two ways:
Read our buyers guide for Connecticut solar companies and Hartford solar companies for more information on what to look for when going solar.
Simplify your search
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We’re not aware of a totally free solar option in Connecticut. You can lease or enter a PPA with little to no upfront costs, though neither is totally free. Solar leases usually come with a flat monthly fee, and PPAs make you pay per unit of electricity.
In general, beware of deals that sound too good to be true. Solar scams that promise free solar panels often, unfortunately, end up costing people quite a bit of money.
» FREE SOLAR PANELS: Are they really free?
Installing solar panels can significantly increase a home’s value. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more on average. The exact increase in value varies by location, with homes in active solar markets seeing higher boosts.
The difference comes down to efficiency and materials: monocrystalline panels are made from pure, single silicon crystals, whereas polycrystalline panels are made from various silicon fragments melted together. Both are types of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. 
Solar panels only generate electricity when the sun is shining. A solar battery stores the extra energy your panels produce during the day so you can use it at night or during a power outage.
Without a battery, that unused energy goes to the grid, and you’ll still depend on utility power after dark.
Home solar system costs typically range from $10,000 to $30,000 or higher, depending on factors such as the system’s size, local labor rates and available incentives.
The ConsumerAffairs Research Team has conducted extensive research to compare the costs of going solar in Connecticut and other states.
Solar costs vs. savings: Connecticut and nearby states
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