Solar Panel Cost Guide in Alexandria, AL (Mar 2023)
- Alexandria Solar Installation Cost: $15,778
- 25-Year Savings: $35,704
- Payback Period: 7.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Alexandria
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Alexandria.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Alexandria, the average cost of a solar system is 2.45 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Alexandria is around 9.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $15,778 for a solar installation, or $22,563 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Alexandria homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Alexandria that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Alexandria
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,719 |
| 3 years | $-9,600 |
| 5 years | $-5,482 |
| 7 years | $-1,363 |
| 9 years | $2,755 |
| 11 years | $6,874 |
| 13 years | $10,992 |
| 15 years | $15,111 |
| 17 years | $19,229 |
| 19 years | $23,348 |
| 21 years | $27,466 |
| 23 years | $31,585 |
| 25 years | $35,704 |
Top Solar Installers in Alexandria
Putting up solar panels on your own can be a challenging undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your home.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Alexandria
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Alexandria
The cost of installing a solar system in Alexandria can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Alexandria to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest. It's wise to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Alexandria, you'll have lots of 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 decide on the company that offers 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 | $2.55 | $10,702 | $22,870 | 8.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.50 | $13,994 | $30,767 | 7.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.45 | $17,150 | $38,802 | 7.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.40 | $20,168 | $46,974 | 7.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.35 | $23,050 | $55,284 | 7.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.30 | $25,794 | $63,730 | 7.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.25 | $28,400 | $72,314 | 7.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.21 | $30,870 | $81,035 | 6.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, 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 panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Alexandria, AL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Alexandria?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,250 for a 5-kW system and $24,500 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 usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
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 Alexandria is currently $140,934, which means you could be looking at a value of about $5,778 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Alexandria is a worthwhile investment.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.