Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cartersville, GA (2023 Update)
- Cartersville Solar Installation Cost: $12,352
- 25-Year Savings: $21,163
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cartersville
Here's how much it might cost to go solar in Cartersville.
In Cartersville, solar panels cost about 2.55 per watt on average. The average Cartersville homeowner needs a 6.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,352 with the federal tax credit, or $17,663 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Cartersville can save around $18,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in Cartersville for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Cartersville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,012 |
| 3 years | $-8,330 |
| 5 years | $-5,649 |
| 7 years | $-2,968 |
| 9 years | $-287 |
| 11 years | $2,394 |
| 13 years | $5,076 |
| 15 years | $7,757 |
| 17 years | $10,438 |
| 19 years | $13,119 |
| 21 years | $15,800 |
| 23 years | $18,482 |
| 25 years | $21,163 |
Top Solar Installers in Cartersville
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar companies offer can be valuable as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are various 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 (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 Cartersville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cartersville
The cost of installing a solar system in Cartersville 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 the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $2,550. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Cartersville average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cartersville to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest. 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 above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Cartersville, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. The company's size can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of 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 discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $17,920 | 9.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $24,179 | 9.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $30,581 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $37,125 | 9.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $43,813 | 8.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $50,643 | 8.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $57,616 | 8.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $64,732 | 8.3 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 brands 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 panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you hire.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system's energy production.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
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 Cartersville, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cartersville?
The average cost of solar panels in Cartersville 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 certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Cartersville?
You can't get solar panels for free in Cartersville. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Cartersville is currently $166,266, which means you can expect a value of about $6,817 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Cartersville is a fruitful investment.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.