Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bay Minette, AL (2024 Update)
- Bay Minette Solar Installation Cost: $20,933
- 25-Year Savings: $32,845
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bay Minette
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Bay Minette.
The average cost of a solar system in Bay Minette is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Bay Minette, most homeowners require a 8.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $20,933, or $29,934 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you will vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Bay Minette see about $21,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Bay Minette for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Bay Minette
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,086 |
| 3 years | $-15,391 |
| 5 years | $-11,695 |
| 7 years | $-8,000 |
| 9 years | $-4,305 |
| 11 years | $-610 |
| 13 years | $3,085 |
| 15 years | $6,780 |
| 17 years | $10,475 |
| 19 years | $14,171 |
| 21 years | $17,866 |
| 23 years | $21,561 |
| 25 years | $25,256 |
Top Solar Installers in Bay Minette
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with a solar panel installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Solar warranties and repairs are ordinarily included in the cost of installation when you hire a solar company as well, which can save you more money after your upfront investment.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Bay Minette:
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 Bay Minette
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bay Minette
For many Bay Minette homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Bay Minette, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several 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 Bay Minette, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,490 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment is more than 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
Most solar installers in Bay Minette offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Bay Minette, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of greater resources and better 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 promotion 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 | $3.63 | $15,244 | $18,044 | 11.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $24,450 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $31,051 | 11.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $37,847 | 10.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $44,839 | 10.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $52,027 | 10.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $59,410 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $66,988 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to get plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
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 Bay Minette, AL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bay Minette?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive 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 opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Bay Minette?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or get 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.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.