Solar Panel Cost Guide in Longwood, FL (2024 Update)
- Longwood Solar Installation Cost: $12,566
- 25-Year Savings: $20,850
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Longwood
We break down average solar pricing in Longwood.
In Longwood, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Longwood, most homeowners require a 5.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,566, or $17,969 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Even with the large initial cost, the average Longwood homeowner can save about $21,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Longwood for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Longwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,891 |
| 3 years | $-7,542 |
| 5 years | $-4,193 |
| 7 years | $-844 |
| 9 years | $2,505 |
| 11 years | $5,854 |
| 13 years | $9,203 |
| 15 years | $12,552 |
| 17 years | $15,901 |
| 19 years | $19,250 |
| 21 years | $22,599 |
| 23 years | $25,948 |
| 25 years | $29,297 |
Top Solar Installers in Longwood
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be hard. Since solar panels are exposed to temperature swings and extreme weather, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Longwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Longwood
There are many criteria that can affect your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,210. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Longwood, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited 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 Longwood provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose will affect your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that 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 come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is 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 | $3.34 | $14,021 | $18,974 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $25,659 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $32,523 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $39,567 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $46,790 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $54,194 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $61,777 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $69,540 | 9.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Longwood, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: When reading 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 component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- 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 most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Longwood, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Longwood?
This is a tough 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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Longwood?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Longwood. 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’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Longwood?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future utility bills.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.