Solar Panel Cost Guide in Covington, GA (2023 Update)
- Covington Solar Installation Cost: $11,907
- 25-Year Savings: $19,180
- Payback Period: 9.6 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Covington
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Covington.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Covington it's 2.55 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 6.7-kW system would cost about $11,906 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with. Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Covington can save about $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Covington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,803 |
| 3 years | $-11,596 |
| 5 years | $-11,389 |
| 7 years | $-11,182 |
| 9 years | $-10,974 |
| 11 years | $-10,767 |
| 13 years | $-10,560 |
| 15 years | $-10,353 |
| 17 years | $-10,145 |
| 19 years | $-9,938 |
| 21 years | $-9,731 |
| 23 years | $-9,524 |
| 25 years | $-9,316 |
Top Solar Installers in Covington
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your family.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. 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 Covington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Covington
There are a number of factors that can affect your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant 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 energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,550 per kilowatt in Covington. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Covington homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panel system can influence how much you pay. Covington's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — 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 choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $2.65 | $11,138 | $16,823 | 10.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $22,717 | 9.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $28,753 | 9.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $34,932 | 9.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $41,254 | 9.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $47,718 | 9.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $54,326 | 8.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $61,076 | 8.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and types of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
- Installation Process: An important thing 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.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Covington, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Covington?
The average cost of solar panels in Covington 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
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 Covington is currently $154,568, which means you can look forward to a value of about $6,337 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Covington is a worthwhile investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.