Solar Panel Cost Guide in Chattanooga Valley, GA (2025 Update)
- Chattanooga Valley Solar Installation Cost: $18,333
- 25-Year Savings: $18,711
- Payback Period: 14.7 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Chattanooga Valley
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Chattanooga Valley.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Chattanooga Valley it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Chattanooga Valley, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $18,333, or $26,216 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Chattanooga Valley based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With typical savings of about $17,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Chattanooga Valley find investing in solar can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Chattanooga Valley that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Chattanooga Valley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,954 |
| 3 years | $-14,195 |
| 5 years | $-11,437 |
| 7 years | $-8,678 |
| 9 years | $-5,919 |
| 11 years | $-3,161 |
| 13 years | $-402 |
| 15 years | $2,356 |
| 17 years | $5,115 |
| 19 years | $7,874 |
| 21 years | $10,632 |
| 23 years | $13,391 |
| 25 years | $16,150 |
Top Solar Installers in Chattanooga Valley
When going solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since DIY solar panel installation can be a difficult project. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, using a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. 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
See all of the solar companies in Chattanooga Valley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Chattanooga Valley
There are a number of criteria that can play into your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,740.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Chattanooga Valley homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.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 principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you hire to handle your switch to green energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Chattanooga Valley, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $10,405 | 15.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.81 | $21,363 | $14,292 | 15.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.74 | $26,180 | $18,389 | 14.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,788 | $22,695 | 14.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.59 | $35,186 | $27,210 | 14.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,375 | $31,935 | 13.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.44 | $43,354 | $36,870 | 13.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.37 | $47,124 | $42,014 | 13.2 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 models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Chattanooga Valley, GA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Chattanooga Valley?
The average cost of solar panels in Chattanooga Valley is about $18,700 for a 5-kW system and $37,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Chattanooga Valley?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Chattanooga Valley. 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 the value of your 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 larger amount 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.