Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Sarasota, FL (2024 Update)
- South Sarasota Solar Installation Cost: $12,178
- 25-Year Savings: $19,561
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Sarasota
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in South Sarasota.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in South Sarasota it’s 3 per watt.Because a 5.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in South Sarasota, the average price of going solar will be about $12,178 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in South Sarasota
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,804 |
| 3 years | $-8,057 |
| 5 years | $-5,310 |
| 7 years | $-2,562 |
| 9 years | $185 |
| 11 years | $2,932 |
| 13 years | $5,679 |
| 15 years | $8,427 |
| 17 years | $11,174 |
| 19 years | $13,921 |
| 21 years | $16,668 |
| 23 years | $19,416 |
| 25 years | $22,163 |
Top Solar Installers in South Sarasota
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Hiring an installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 South Sarasota
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Sarasota
For many South Sarasota homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in South Sarasota, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,210 per kilowatt in South Sarasota.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. 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 looking for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid option because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in South Sarasota, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $18,260 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $24,707 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $31,333 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $38,138 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $45,124 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $52,289 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $59,634 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $67,159 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
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 South Sarasota, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Sarasota?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in South Sarasota?
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 offer you credit toward your future utility bills.
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 goes down 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.