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

  • Fultondale Solar Installation Cost: $22,260
  • 25-Year Savings: $34,454
  • Payback Period: 11.1 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 Fultondale

We go over average solar pricing in Fultondale.

In Fultondale, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average Fultondale homeowner needs a 9.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $22,260 with the federal tax credit, or $31,832 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you will vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on power bills.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Fultondale for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Fultondale

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-20,413
3 years $-16,718
5 years $-13,022
7 years $-9,327
9 years $-5,632
11 years $-1,937
13 years $1,758
15 years $5,453
17 years $9,148
19 years $12,844
21 years $16,539
23 years $20,234
25 years $23,929

Top Solar Installers in Fultondale

When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.

Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

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 Fultondale

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fultondale

The cost of installing a solar system in Fultondale can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,490. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Fultondale, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Fultondale homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can influence your pricing. Fultondale’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fits 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 $3.63 $15,244 $17,733 11.6 years
8 kW $3.56 $19,935 $24,035 11.3 years
10 kW $3.49 $24,430 $30,532 11.1 years
12 kW $3.42 $28,730 $37,225 10.9 years
14 kW $3.35 $32,834 $44,113 10.7 years
16 kW $3.28 $36,743 $51,197 10.4 years
18 kW $3.21 $40,456 $58,476 10.2 years
20 kW $3.14 $43,974 $65,950 10.0 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose significantly influences 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:

  • Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.

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 Fultondale, AL Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Fultondale is about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Fultondale?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.

Is switching to solar power worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

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 requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home 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.

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