Solar Panel Cost Guide in Nashville, AR (2025 Update)
- Nashville Solar Installation Cost: $20,619
- 25-Year Savings: $24,131
- Payback Period: 13.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Nashville
Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Nashville.
The average cost of a solar system in Nashville is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Nashville, most homeowners require a 8.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $20,619, or $29,485 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 panel system could cost. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar company in Nashville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Nashville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,270 |
| 3 years | $-16,573 |
| 5 years | $-13,876 |
| 7 years | $-11,179 |
| 9 years | $-8,482 |
| 11 years | $-5,785 |
| 13 years | $-3,088 |
| 15 years | $-391 |
| 17 years | $2,306 |
| 19 years | $5,003 |
| 21 years | $7,700 |
| 23 years | $10,397 |
| 25 years | $13,094 |
Top Solar Installers in Nashville
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Companies can also offer access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your home.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
See all of the solar companies in Nashville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Nashville
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Nashville: 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 determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Nashville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of 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
Most solar installers in Nashville provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.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 original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Nashville is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Some companies 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers 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 | $3.63 | $15,244 | $12,579 | 13.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $17,163 | 13.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $21,942 | 13.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $26,916 | 12.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $32,087 | 12.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $37,452 | 12.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $43,013 | 12.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $48,770 | 11.9 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. Since selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable 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 check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
EcoWatch's Nashville, AR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Nashville?
The average cost of solar panels in Nashville 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
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 choose to 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.