Solar Panel Cost Guide in Southeast Arcadia, FL (2023 Update)

  • Southeast Arcadia Solar Installation Cost: $9,677
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,654
  • Payback Period: 7.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Southeast Arcadia

Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Southeast Arcadia.

In Southeast Arcadia, solar panels cost about 2.53 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Southeast Arcadia, most homeowners require a 5.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $9,670, or $13,828 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. With average savings of about $22,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Southeast Arcadia find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in Southeast Arcadia, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Southeast Arcadia

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-8,304
3 years $-5,557
5 years $-2,809
7 years $-62
9 years $2,685
11 years $5,432
13 years $8,180
15 years $10,927
17 years $13,674
19 years $16,421
21 years $19,169
23 years $21,916
25 years $24,663

Top Solar Installers in Southeast Arcadia

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your family.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Southeast Arcadia, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Southeast Arcadia

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Southeast Arcadia

For many Southeast Arcadia homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Southeast Arcadia, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,530. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 can expect 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 increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Southeast Arcadia have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's important to consider that 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 solar company you choose to handle your switch to clean energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in Southeast Arcadia, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $2.63 $11,051 $24,449 7.8 years
8 kW $2.58 $14,451 $32,882 7.6 years
10 kW $2.53 $17,710 $41,457 7.5 years
12 kW $2.48 $20,827 $50,173 7.3 years
14 kW $2.43 $23,802 $59,032 7.2 years
16 kW $2.38 $26,636 $68,031 7.0 years
18 kW $2.33 $29,328 $77,173 6.9 years
20 kW $2.28 $31,878 $86,456 6.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose greatly affects your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you'd like to install plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

EcoWatch's Southeast Arcadia, FL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Southeast Arcadia?

The average cost of solar panels in Southeast Arcadia is about $12,650 for a 5-kW system and $25,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Southeast Arcadia?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or get 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 bang for your buck from going solar.

Is it worth going solar in Southeast Arcadia?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How long do solar panels last in Southeast Arcadia?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much 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 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.

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