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

  • Leeds Solar Installation Cost: $22,228
  • 25-Year Savings: $35,652
  • 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 Leeds

We go over average solar pricing in Leeds.

In Leeds, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.Because a 9.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Leeds, the average price of going solar will be about $22,228 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Leeds 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.With typical savings of about $21,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Leeds find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Leeds that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Leeds

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-20,380
3 years $-16,685
5 years $-12,990
7 years $-9,295
9 years $-5,600
11 years $-1,905
13 years $1,791
15 years $5,486
17 years $9,181
19 years $12,876
21 years $16,571
23 years $20,266
25 years $23,962

Top Solar Installers in Leeds

Installing solar panels by yourself can be a difficult task, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The payback period of solar panels will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy consumption, but going with a solar company can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.

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 Leeds

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Leeds

There are a number of factors that can affect your total 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

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Leeds, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,490 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions 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 looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Leeds have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installation company you pick will affect your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount 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 $18,556 11.3 years
8 kW $3.56 $19,935 $25,132 11.1 years
10 kW $3.49 $24,430 $31,904 10.8 years
12 kW $3.42 $28,730 $38,871 10.6 years
14 kW $3.35 $32,834 $46,033 10.4 years
16 kW $3.28 $36,743 $53,391 10.2 years
18 kW $3.21 $40,456 $60,945 10.0 years
20 kW $3.14 $43,974 $68,694 9.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar company you opt for 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 several important things you should take into account, including:

  • Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
  • Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the endurance of your solar system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.

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 Leeds, AL Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Leeds 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 stuff 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 Leeds?

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 can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Leeds?

The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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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