Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fayetteville, AR (2023 Update)
- Fayetteville Solar Installation Cost: $15,267
- 25-Year Savings: $19,769
- Payback Period: 10.9 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fayetteville
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Fayetteville.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Fayetteville generally cost around 2.54. The average Fayetteville homeowner needs a 8.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $15,273 with the federal tax credit, or $21,840 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Despite the significant initial cost, the average Fayetteville homeowner can save about $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Fayetteville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Fayetteville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,150 |
| 3 years | $-14,917 |
| 5 years | $-14,683 |
| 7 years | $-14,449 |
| 9 years | $-14,216 |
| 11 years | $-13,982 |
| 13 years | $-13,749 |
| 15 years | $-13,515 |
| 17 years | $-13,282 |
| 19 years | $-13,048 |
| 21 years | $-12,814 |
| 23 years | $-12,581 |
| 25 years | $-12,347 |
Top Solar Installers in Fayetteville
Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a stressful project, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for your home.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Fayetteville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fayetteville
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Fayetteville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over 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 important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The type of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider 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 falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Fayetteville homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Fayetteville homeowners, they can also add to 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
The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Fayetteville, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.64 | $11,095 | $13,387 | 11.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $18,134 | 11.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $23,023 | 10.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $28,054 | 10.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $33,228 | 10.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $38,544 | 10.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $44,002 | 10.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $49,602 | 9.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you hire.
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 Fayetteville, AR Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fayetteville?
The average cost of solar panels in Fayetteville is about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Fayetteville?
Solar panels aren't free in Fayetteville, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Is it worth going solar in Fayetteville?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.