Solar Panel Cost Guide in Nashville, AR (2024 Update)

  • Nashville Solar Installation Cost: $20,619
  • 25-Year Savings: $24,131
  • Payback Period: 13.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

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 usage of the average home in Nashville, most homeowners require a 8.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $20,619, or $29,485 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $18,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, 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

Putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging task, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. 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:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 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 going solar. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Nashville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, 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

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Nashville homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Nashville homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Nashville, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, 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 $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.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 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 actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

How will having solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."

How long do solar panels last in Nashville?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down 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.

Follow us