Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sebastian, FL (2024 Update)
- Sebastian Solar Installation Cost: $11,965
- 25-Year Savings: $19,728
- Payback Period: 10.3 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 Sebastian
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Sebastian.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Sebastian it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Sebastian, most homeowners require a 5.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,965, or $17,110 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The actual price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Sebastian based on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Sebastian homeowners see about $21,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sebastian
| 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 Sebastian
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over time.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Sebastian, we've 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
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 Sebastian
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sebastian
There are many factors that can affect your solar panel 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
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,210 per kilowatt in Sebastian.The brand and type 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Sebastian to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Sebastian homeowners, they can also raise 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 installation company you pick will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and find a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also fits 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 | $18,834 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $25,472 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $32,289 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $39,286 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $46,463 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $53,820 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $61,356 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $69,072 | 9.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in Sebastian, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven 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 good reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you opt for.
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline rebates and warranties.
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 Sebastian, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Sebastian?
The average cost of solar panels in Sebastian is about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in Sebastian?
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 the amount of 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.