Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cordele, GA (2024 Update)
- Cordele Solar Installation Cost: $17,014
- 25-Year Savings: $23,502
- Payback Period: 12.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cordele
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Cordele.
In Cordele, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Cordele, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,014, or $24,330 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Even with the high initial cost, the average Cordele homeowner can save about $21,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Cordele
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,470 |
| 3 years | $-12,381 |
| 5 years | $-9,292 |
| 7 years | $-6,203 |
| 9 years | $-3,114 |
| 11 years | $-25 |
| 13 years | $3,065 |
| 15 years | $6,154 |
| 17 years | $9,243 |
| 19 years | $12,332 |
| 21 years | $15,421 |
| 23 years | $18,510 |
| 25 years | $21,599 |
Top Solar Installers in Cordele
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, if you’re unsure what type of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you're looking for a solar company in Cordele, 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
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Cordele
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cordele
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Cordele: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $3,740. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Cordele, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cordele to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Cordele homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Cordele, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $3.89 | $16,336 | $16,071 | 12.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.81 | $21,363 | $21,848 | 12.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.74 | $26,180 | $27,833 | 12.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,788 | $34,028 | 11.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.59 | $35,186 | $40,432 | 11.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,375 | $47,046 | 11.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.44 | $43,354 | $53,869 | 11.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.37 | $47,124 | $60,902 | 10.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 good reviews from past customers.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system 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
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Cordele, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cordele?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,700 for a 5-kW system and $37,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Cordele?
Solar panels aren’t free in Cordele, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, 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 much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Cordele, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes 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?
Although 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 opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.