Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Bay, FL (2024 Update)
- South Bay Solar Installation Cost: $12,093
- 25-Year Savings: $19,628
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Bay
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in South Bay.
The average cost of solar panels in South Bay is 3 per watt.Since a 5.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in South Bay, the average price of going solar will be about $12,093 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in South Bay depending on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the high initial cost, the average South Bay homeowner can save around $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in South Bay
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-10,719 |
3 years | $-7,972 |
5 years | $-5,224 |
7 years | $-2,477 |
9 years | $270 |
11 years | $3,017 |
13 years | $5,765 |
15 years | $8,512 |
17 years | $11,259 |
19 years | $14,006 |
21 years | $16,753 |
23 years | $19,501 |
25 years | $22,248 |
Top Solar Installers in South Bay
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be hard. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your location and energy usage, but working with a solar installer can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 South Bay
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Bay
The cost of installing a solar system in South Bay can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in South Bay, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,210 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in South Bay to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you pick will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge 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 come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that has the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $18,488 | 10.8 years |
8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $25,010 | 10.6 years |
10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $31,711 | 10.4 years |
12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $38,593 | 10.2 years |
14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $45,654 | 10.0 years |
16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $52,895 | 9.7 years |
18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $60,316 | 9.5 years |
20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $67,917 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you opt for will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- 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 likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 South Bay, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Bay?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in South Bay?
Solar panels can be a great investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.