Solar Panel Cost Guide in Athens, GA (2023 Update)
- Athens Solar Installation Cost: $11,955
- 25-Year Savings: $21,870
- Payback Period: 8.8 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Athens
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Athens.
In Athens, solar panels cost about 2.55 per watt on average. The average Athens homeowner needs a 6.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,960 with the federal tax credit, or $17,103 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Athens homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $19,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Athens find investing in solar can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Athens for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Athens
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,371 |
| 3 years | $-7,203 |
| 5 years | $-4,036 |
| 7 years | $-868 |
| 9 years | $2,300 |
| 11 years | $5,467 |
| 13 years | $8,635 |
| 15 years | $11,803 |
| 17 years | $14,970 |
| 19 years | $18,138 |
| 21 years | $21,306 |
| 23 years | $24,473 |
| 25 years | $27,641 |
Top Solar Installers in Athens
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and expertise. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Also, companies with a high reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you're looking for a solar company in Athens, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Athens
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Athens
For many Athens homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Athens, 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
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,550. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease 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 add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Athens homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. It's a good idea 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 how long it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Athens, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.65 | $11,138 | $19,164 | 9.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $25,838 | 9.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $32,655 | 8.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $39,614 | 8.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $46,716 | 8.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $53,961 | 8.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $61,349 | 8.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $68,879 | 8.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the endurance of your solar panel system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
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 Athens, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Athens?
The average cost of solar panels in Athens is about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things 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 Athens?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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.
How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Athens, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even 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 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.