Solar Panel Cost Guide in Piedmont, AL (2025 Update)
- Piedmont Solar Installation Cost: $22,557
- 25-Year Savings: $35,685
- Payback Period: 10.9 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Piedmont
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Piedmont.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Piedmont it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Piedmont, most homeowners require a 9.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $22,557, or $32,257 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.Even with the high upfront cost, the average Piedmont homeowner can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Piedmont
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-20,710 |
| 3 years | $-17,014 |
| 5 years | $-13,319 |
| 7 years | $-9,624 |
| 9 years | $-5,929 |
| 11 years | $-2,234 |
| 13 years | $1,461 |
| 15 years | $5,156 |
| 17 years | $8,852 |
| 19 years | $12,547 |
| 21 years | $16,242 |
| 23 years | $19,937 |
| 25 years | $23,632 |
Top Solar Installers in Piedmont
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring a solar company can make your swap to solar power much easier. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Piedmont, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
See all of the solar companies in Piedmont
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Piedmont
While the average cost of a solar system in Piedmont is $22,557, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy 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 pay about $3,490 per kilowatt in Piedmont.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Piedmont, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Piedmont, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.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’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Piedmont is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have 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 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 | $18,234 | 11.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $24,703 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $31,367 | 10.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $38,227 | 10.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $45,282 | 10.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $52,533 | 10.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $59,979 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $67,620 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the endurance of your solar panel system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
- 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 install your solar system. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
EcoWatch's Piedmont, AL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Piedmont?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want 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 factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Piedmont?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.