Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gainesville, FL (2024 Update)
- Gainesville Solar Installation Cost: $12,791
- 25-Year Savings: $22,324
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gainesville
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Gainesville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Gainesville it’s 3 per watt.The average Gainesville homeowner needs a 5.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,791 with the federal tax credit, or $18,291 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $23,000 over 20 years on power bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Gainesville for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Gainesville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,183 |
| 3 years | $-7,967 |
| 5 years | $-4,751 |
| 7 years | $-1,535 |
| 9 years | $1,681 |
| 11 years | $4,897 |
| 13 years | $8,112 |
| 15 years | $11,328 |
| 17 years | $14,544 |
| 19 years | $17,760 |
| 21 years | $20,976 |
| 23 years | $24,192 |
| 25 years | $27,408 |
Top Solar Installers in Gainesville
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Gainesville, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Gainesville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gainesville
The cost of installing a solar system in Gainesville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,210.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Gainesville, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Gainesville homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you opt for to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Gainesville, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 | $20,135 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $27,206 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $34,457 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $41,887 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $49,497 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $57,288 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $65,257 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $73,407 | 8.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you opt for will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Gainesville, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Gainesville?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Gainesville?
Solar panels aren’t free in Gainesville, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 amount 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.