Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lehigh Acres, FL (2023 Update)
- Lehigh Acres Solar Installation Cost: $9,461
- 25-Year Savings: $21,319
- Payback Period: 7.7 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lehigh Acres
Here's how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Lehigh Acres.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Lehigh Acres generally cost about 2.53. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Lehigh Acres, most homeowners require a 5.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $9,457, or $13,524 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Despite the large upfront cost, the average Lehigh Acres homeowner can save about $22,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Lehigh Acres
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,358 |
| 3 years | $-9,153 |
| 5 years | $-8,948 |
| 7 years | $-8,743 |
| 9 years | $-8,538 |
| 11 years | $-8,332 |
| 13 years | $-8,127 |
| 15 years | $-7,922 |
| 17 years | $-7,717 |
| 19 years | $-7,512 |
| 21 years | $-7,306 |
| 23 years | $-7,101 |
| 25 years | $-6,896 |
Top Solar Installers in Lehigh Acres
Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a stressful undertaking, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you're unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Lehigh Acres, the EcoWatch team has organized 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
See all of the solar companies in Lehigh Acres
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lehigh Acres
For many Lehigh Acres homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Lehigh Acres, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Lehigh Acres homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Lehigh Acres homeowners, they can also increase 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 solar company you hire to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Lehigh Acres, and each can charge different amounts 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 add-on 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 | $2.63 | $11,051 | $23,519 | 8.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.58 | $14,451 | $31,642 | 7.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.53 | $17,710 | $39,907 | 7.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.48 | $20,827 | $48,313 | 7.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.43 | $23,802 | $56,861 | 7.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.38 | $26,636 | $65,551 | 7.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.33 | $29,328 | $74,382 | 7.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.28 | $31,878 | $83,355 | 6.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you'd like to get plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
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 Lehigh Acres, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Lehigh Acres?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,650 for a 5-kW system and $25,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Lehigh Acres?
You can't get solar panels for free in Lehigh Acres. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How will installing solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Lehigh Acres is currently $187,478, so you could be looking at a value of about $7,687 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Lehigh Acres is a worthwhile investment.
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having 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.