Solar Panel Cost Guide in Atlanta, GA (Mar 2023)
- Atlanta Solar Installation Cost: $12,102
- 25-Year Savings: $23,814
- Payback Period: 8.4 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Atlanta
We go over average solar pricing in Atlanta.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Atlanta is 2.55 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Atlanta is around 6.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,102 for a solar installation, or $17,306 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The actual price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Atlanta depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Atlanta homeowner can save around $20,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Atlanta for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Atlanta
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,666 |
| 3 years | $-7,792 |
| 5 years | $-4,919 |
| 7 years | $-2,046 |
| 9 years | $828 |
| 11 years | $3,701 |
| 13 years | $6,574 |
| 15 years | $9,447 |
| 17 years | $12,321 |
| 19 years | $15,194 |
| 21 years | $18,067 |
| 23 years | $20,941 |
| 25 years | $23,814 |
Top Solar Installers in Atlanta
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be hard. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Atlanta, optimizing your ROI.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Atlanta:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Atlanta
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Atlanta
The cost of installing a solar system in Atlanta can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and kind of equipment you choose 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable option because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to 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 finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Atlanta, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Atlanta know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save 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 | $2.65 | $11,138 | $20,625 | 8.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $27,786 | 8.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $35,090 | 8.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $42,536 | 8.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $50,125 | 8.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $57,857 | 7.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $65,732 | 7.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $73,750 | 7.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Atlanta, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have different brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you're considering has it.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system's energy production.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Atlanta, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Atlanta?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Atlanta?
Solar panels aren't free in Atlanta, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
How will installing solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably 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 a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.