Solar Panel Cost Guide in Athens, GA (2024 Update)

  • Athens Solar Installation Cost: $17,534
  • 25-Year Savings: $21,870
  • Payback Period: 13.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Athens

Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Athens.

The average cost of solar panels in Athens is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Athens, most homeowners require a 6.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,534, or $25,074 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary based on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on power bills.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Athens

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,950
3 years $-12,782
5 years $-9,615
7 years $-6,447
9 years $-3,279
11 years $-112
13 years $3,056
15 years $6,224
17 years $9,391
19 years $12,559
21 years $15,727
23 years $18,894
25 years $22,062

Top Solar Installers in Athens

Installing solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous task, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:

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 Athens

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Athens

The cost of installing a solar system in Athens can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,740 per kilowatt in Athens.The brand and kind of equipment you want 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 a small roof 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

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Athens to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panels can affect the cost. Athens’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $3.89 $16,336 $13,966 13.5 years
8 kW $3.81 $21,363 $19,041 13.2 years
10 kW $3.74 $26,180 $24,325 13.0 years
12 kW $3.67 $30,788 $29,818 12.7 years
14 kW $3.59 $35,186 $35,520 12.4 years
16 kW $3.52 $39,375 $41,433 12.2 years
18 kW $3.44 $43,354 $47,554 11.9 years
20 kW $3.37 $47,124 $53,885 11.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose considerably impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
  • Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure to read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.

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 Athens, GA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Athens?

The average cost of solar panels in Athens is about $18,700 for a 5-kW system and $37,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?

Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Do solar panels increase the value of your home?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Athens is currently $307,312, so you can expect a value of about $12,600 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Athens is a rewarding investment.

How long do solar panels last in Athens?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.

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