Solar Panel Cost Guide in Winter Park, FL (2024 Update)
- Winter Park Solar Installation Cost: $12,301
- 25-Year Savings: $20,881
- Payback Period: 10.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Winter Park
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Winter Park.
The average cost of a solar system in Winter Park is 3 per watt.The average Winter Park homeowner needs a 5.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,301 with the federal tax credit, or $17,590 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you may vary based on your specific situation and what company you go with.With typical savings of about $21,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Winter Park find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
To get a free quote from a top solar installer in Winter Park, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Winter Park
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,641 |
| 3 years | $-7,321 |
| 5 years | $-4,001 |
| 7 years | $-682 |
| 9 years | $2,638 |
| 11 years | $5,958 |
| 13 years | $9,278 |
| 15 years | $12,598 |
| 17 years | $15,918 |
| 19 years | $19,237 |
| 21 years | $22,557 |
| 23 years | $25,877 |
| 25 years | $29,197 |
Top Solar Installers in Winter Park
Installing solar panels on your own can be a time-consuming undertaking, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and component replacements.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. 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
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 Winter Park
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Winter Park
For many Winter Park homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Winter Park, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Winter Park, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,210 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Winter Park provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence the cost. Winter Park’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Winter Park have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $19,490 | 10.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $26,346 | 10.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $33,382 | 10.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $40,598 | 9.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $47,994 | 9.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $55,569 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $63,324 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $71,259 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Winter Park, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Winter Park, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Winter Park?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.