Solar Panel Cost Guide in Covington, GA (2023 Update)
- Covington Solar Installation Cost: $11,906
- 25-Year Savings: $19,181
- Payback Period: 9.6 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Covington
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Covington.
The average cost of solar panels in Covington is 2.55 per watt. The average Covington homeowner needs a 6.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,906 with the federal tax credit, or $17,026 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs will look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Covington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,662 |
| 3 years | $-8,176 |
| 5 years | $-5,689 |
| 7 years | $-3,202 |
| 9 years | $-715 |
| 11 years | $1,772 |
| 13 years | $4,259 |
| 15 years | $6,746 |
| 17 years | $9,233 |
| 19 years | $11,720 |
| 21 years | $14,207 |
| 23 years | $16,694 |
| 25 years | $19,181 |
Top Solar Installers in Covington
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. Plus, if you're unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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
While the average cost of a solar system in Covington is $11,906, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Covington, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,550 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Covington, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited 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
Most solar companies in Covington offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar system can affect how much you pay. Covington's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fits within 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 model of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly affects your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it's important to keep an open line of communication with your solar installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you go with.
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
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Covington?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Covington?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Covington?
Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.