Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Augustine Beach, FL (2023 Update)
- St. Augustine Beach Solar Installation Cost: $9,600
- 25-Year Savings: $19,558
- Payback Period: 8.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Augustine Beach
We break down average solar pricing in St. Augustine Beach.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in St. Augustine Beach typically cost around 2.53. Since a 5.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in St. Augustine Beach, the average price of going solar will be about $9,599 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St. Augustine Beach homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $20,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Augustine Beach find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in St. Augustine Beach
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,227 |
| 3 years | $-5,480 |
| 5 years | $-2,732 |
| 7 years | $15 |
| 9 years | $2,762 |
| 11 years | $5,509 |
| 13 years | $8,257 |
| 15 years | $11,004 |
| 17 years | $13,751 |
| 19 years | $16,498 |
| 21 years | $19,246 |
| 23 years | $21,993 |
| 25 years | $24,740 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Augustine Beach
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Companies can also have access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for you.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 St. Augustine Beach
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Augustine Beach
For many St. Augustine Beach homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Augustine Beach, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,530 per kilowatt in St. Augustine Beach. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St. Augustine Beach, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in St. Augustine Beach, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of 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 more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in St. Augustine Beach is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. The company's size sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $21,222 | 8.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.58 | $14,451 | $28,580 | 8.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.53 | $17,710 | $36,079 | 8.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.48 | $20,827 | $43,720 | 8.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.43 | $23,802 | $51,503 | 7.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.38 | $26,636 | $59,427 | 7.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.33 | $29,328 | $67,493 | 7.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.28 | $31,878 | $75,700 | 7.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: Read the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have various brands and models of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
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 St. Augustine Beach, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Augustine Beach?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,650 for a 5-kW system and $25,300 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 consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in St. Augustine Beach?
A solar panel system isn't free in St. Augustine Beach, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Does St. Augustine Beach have a net metering program?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.