Solar Panel Cost Guide in Southside, AL (2025 Update)
- Southside Solar Installation Cost: $22,534
- 25-Year Savings: $35,411
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Southside
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Southside.
The average cost of solar panels in Southside is 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Southside is around 9.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $22,534 for a solar installation, or $32,224 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Southside homeowner can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Southside
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-20,686 |
| 3 years | $-16,991 |
| 5 years | $-13,296 |
| 7 years | $-9,601 |
| 9 years | $-5,906 |
| 11 years | $-2,210 |
| 13 years | $1,485 |
| 15 years | $5,180 |
| 17 years | $8,875 |
| 19 years | $12,570 |
| 21 years | $16,265 |
| 23 years | $19,960 |
| 25 years | $23,656 |
Top Solar Installers in Southside
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and expertise. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Southside:
See all of the solar companies in Southside
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Southside
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Southside: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Generally, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Southside homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
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 Southside is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger 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 | $18,080 | 11.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $24,497 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $31,110 | 11.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $37,918 | 10.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $44,922 | 10.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $52,121 | 10.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $59,516 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $67,106 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- 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: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
EcoWatch's Southside, AL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Southside?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Southside?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Southside. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Southside is currently $250,271, so you could be looking at a value of about $10,261 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Southside is a worthwhile investment.
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level 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.