Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fayette, AL (2024 Update)

  • Fayette Solar Installation Cost: $22,110
  • 25-Year Savings: $36,165
  • Payback Period: 10.7 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 Fayette

Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Fayette.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Fayette, the typical cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Fayette, most homeowners require a 9.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $22,110, or $31,617 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The true cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what company you go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Fayette can save around $22,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.

To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar company in Fayette, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Fayette

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-20,262
3 years $-16,567
5 years $-12,872
7 years $-9,177
9 years $-5,481
11 years $-1,786
13 years $1,909
15 years $5,604
17 years $9,299
19 years $12,994
21 years $16,689
23 years $20,385
25 years $24,080

Top Solar Installers in Fayette

Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra effort and expertise. For that reason, most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies offer can be valuable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:

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

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Fayette

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fayette

There are a number of criteria that can play into your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,490 per kilowatt in Fayette.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Fayette, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in Fayette provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to solar energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Fayette, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger 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 $19,022 11.1 years
8 kW $3.56 $19,935 $25,753 10.9 years
10 kW $3.49 $24,430 $32,680 10.7 years
12 kW $3.42 $28,730 $39,802 10.5 years
14 kW $3.35 $32,834 $47,120 10.3 years
16 kW $3.28 $36,743 $54,633 10.1 years
18 kW $3.21 $40,456 $62,342 9.8 years
20 kW $3.14 $43,974 $70,246 9.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you choose will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:

  • Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.

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

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Fayette, AL Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?

The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Do solar panels increase your property value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of 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 after having 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.

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