Solar Panel Cost Guide in Highland Lakes, AL (2024 Update)

  • Highland Lakes Solar Installation Cost: $22,070
  • 25-Year Savings: $35,656
  • Payback Period: 10.8 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 Highland Lakes

We go over average solar pricing in Highland Lakes.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Highland Lakes, the average cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Highland Lakes is around 9.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $22,070 for a solar installation, or $31,560 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Highland Lakes homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the large upfront cost, the average Highland Lakes homeowner can save about $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.

For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Highland Lakes

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-20,223
3 years $-16,527
5 years $-12,832
7 years $-9,137
9 years $-5,442
11 years $-1,747
13 years $1,948
15 years $5,644
17 years $9,339
19 years $13,034
21 years $16,729
23 years $20,424
25 years $24,119

Top Solar Installers in Highland Lakes

Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra energy and handiness. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, if you’re not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. 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 Highland Lakes

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Highland Lakes

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

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,490 per kilowatt in Highland Lakes.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Highland Lakes average.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Highland Lakes, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Highland Lakes, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to more 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 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 $18,726 11.2 years
8 kW $3.56 $19,935 $25,359 11.0 years
10 kW $3.49 $24,430 $32,188 10.8 years
12 kW $3.42 $28,730 $39,212 10.6 years
14 kW $3.35 $32,834 $46,431 10.4 years
16 kW $3.28 $36,743 $53,846 10.1 years
18 kW $3.21 $40,456 $61,456 9.9 years
20 kW $3.14 $43,974 $69,262 9.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the durability of your solar panel system, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you need to install plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
  • Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.

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 Highland Lakes, AL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Highland Lakes?

The average cost of solar panels in Highland Lakes is about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Highland Lakes?

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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.

How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,132.36 per year.

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 larger 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.

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