Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hartselle, AL (2024 Update)
- Hartselle Solar Installation Cost: $22,735
- 25-Year Savings: $12,944
- Payback Period: 19.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hartselle
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Hartselle.
In Hartselle, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 9.3-kW system would cost about $22,735 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Hartselle homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find going solar is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Hartselle can save around $12,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in Hartselle for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Hartselle
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-21,280 |
| 3 years | $-18,371 |
| 5 years | $-15,462 |
| 7 years | $-12,552 |
| 9 years | $-9,643 |
| 11 years | $-6,733 |
| 13 years | $-3,824 |
| 15 years | $-915 |
| 17 years | $1,995 |
| 19 years | $4,904 |
| 21 years | $7,814 |
| 23 years | $10,723 |
| 25 years | $13,632 |
Top Solar Installers in Hartselle
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Another advantage of working with a solar installer is that they can help you maximize your return of investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Hartselle
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hartselle
There are many factors that can affect your solar system 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
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, 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. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Hartselle, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Hartselle offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can affect the cost. Hartselle’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to more resources and bulk 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 names.
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 | $3,391 | 20.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $4,912 | 20.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $6,629 | 19.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $8,541 | 19.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $10,649 | 18.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $12,952 | 18.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $15,450 | 18.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $18,144 | 17.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar panel system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Hartselle, AL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Hartselle?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Hartselle?
Solar panels aren’t free in Hartselle, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value 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 a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.