Solar Panel Cost Guide in Florida Ridge, FL (2024 Update)
- Florida Ridge Solar Installation Cost: $11,965
- 25-Year Savings: $20,834
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Florida Ridge
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Florida Ridge.
The average cost of solar panels in Florida Ridge is 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 5.3-kW system would cost about $11,965 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The true cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Florida Ridge see about $22,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Florida Ridge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,591 |
| 3 years | $-7,844 |
| 5 years | $-5,097 |
| 7 years | $-2,350 |
| 9 years | $398 |
| 11 years | $3,145 |
| 13 years | $5,892 |
| 15 years | $8,639 |
| 17 years | $11,387 |
| 19 years | $14,134 |
| 21 years | $16,881 |
| 23 years | $19,628 |
| 25 years | $22,376 |
Top Solar Installers in Florida Ridge
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, using a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Florida Ridge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Florida Ridge
The cost of installing a solar system in Florida Ridge can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
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 uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,210 per kilowatt in Florida Ridge.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Florida Ridge, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, 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
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid option because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Florida Ridge is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car 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 | $3.34 | $14,021 | $20,080 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $27,132 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $34,365 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $41,777 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $49,369 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $57,141 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $65,093 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $73,224 | 8.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you choose.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Florida Ridge, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Florida Ridge?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost 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 choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Florida Ridge?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Florida Ridge is currently $542,437, so you can look forward to a value of about $22,240 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Florida Ridge is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in Florida Ridge?
Although 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.