Solar Panel Cost Guide in Plant City, FL (2024 Update)
- Plant City Solar Installation Cost: $12,394
- 25-Year Savings: $16,262
- Payback Period: 11.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Plant City
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Plant City.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Plant City it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Plant City, most homeowners require a 5.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,394, or $17,723 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $19,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Plant City find installing solar panels can pay off big.
To receive a free estimate from a vetted solar company in Plant City, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Plant City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,069 |
| 3 years | $-8,418 |
| 5 years | $-5,767 |
| 7 years | $-3,116 |
| 9 years | $-466 |
| 11 years | $2,185 |
| 13 years | $4,836 |
| 15 years | $7,486 |
| 17 years | $10,137 |
| 19 years | $12,788 |
| 21 years | $15,439 |
| 23 years | $18,089 |
| 25 years | $20,740 |
Top Solar Installers in Plant City
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run with their warranties, repair services and expert design.
Working with a vetted solar installer 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 Plant City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Plant City
The cost of installing a solar system in Plant City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power generation use 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 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 are often more expensive 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 greater savings over time. Also, 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 provided by most installers in Plant City, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s a good idea to factor 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
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to sustainable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Plant City, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into 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 | $14,294 | 12.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $19,418 | 12.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $24,722 | 11.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $30,206 | 11.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $35,870 | 11.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $41,713 | 11.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $47,736 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $53,939 | 10.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before making your decision.
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 Plant City, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Plant City?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Plant City?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 savings from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Plant City?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 larger 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.