Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pell City, AL (Mar 2023)
- Pell City Solar Installation Cost: $15,692
- 25-Year Savings: $35,482
- Payback Period: 7.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pell City
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Pell City.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Pell City, the average cost of a solar system is 2.45 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Pell City, most homeowners require a 9.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $15,692, or $22,440 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. With typical savings of about $21,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Pell City find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
To get a free estimate from a top solar company in Pell City, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Pell City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,645 |
| 3 years | $-9,551 |
| 5 years | $-5,457 |
| 7 years | $-1,363 |
| 9 years | $2,731 |
| 11 years | $6,825 |
| 13 years | $10,918 |
| 15 years | $15,012 |
| 17 years | $19,106 |
| 19 years | $23,200 |
| 21 years | $27,294 |
| 23 years | $31,388 |
| 25 years | $35,482 |
Top Solar Installers in Pell City
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to use a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, if you aren't sure what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Pell City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pell City
For many Pell City homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Pell City, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,450 per kilowatt in Pell City. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Pell City, where sunlight is 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 more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Pell City to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest. While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Pell City 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
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. Pell City's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price 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 go with the company that has 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 | $2.55 | $10,702 | $22,853 | 8.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.50 | $13,994 | $30,745 | 7.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.45 | $17,150 | $38,774 | 7.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.40 | $20,168 | $46,941 | 7.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.35 | $23,050 | $55,244 | 7.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.30 | $25,794 | $63,685 | 7.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.25 | $28,400 | $72,263 | 7.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.21 | $30,870 | $80,978 | 6.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to get plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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 Pell City, AL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pell City?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,250 for a 5-kW system and $24,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Pell City, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs 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 house 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.