Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dawsonville, GA (2023 Update)
- Dawsonville Solar Installation Cost: $12,263
- 25-Year Savings: $20,442
- Payback Period: 9.4 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dawsonville
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Dawsonville.
In Dawsonville, solar panels cost about 2.55 per watt on average. The average Dawsonville homeowner needs a 6.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,263 with the federal tax credit, or $17,536 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in Dawsonville for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Dawsonville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,955 |
| 3 years | $-8,338 |
| 5 years | $-5,722 |
| 7 years | $-3,106 |
| 9 years | $-489 |
| 11 years | $2,127 |
| 13 years | $4,744 |
| 15 years | $7,360 |
| 17 years | $9,976 |
| 19 years | $12,593 |
| 21 years | $15,209 |
| 23 years | $17,825 |
| 25 years | $20,442 |
Top Solar Installers in Dawsonville
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term with their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Dawsonville:
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 Dawsonville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dawsonville
The cost of installing a solar system in Dawsonville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important 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 power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,550 per kilowatt in Dawsonville. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get 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 over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Dawsonville average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Dawsonville to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, 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 because of interest. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Dawsonville is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you'll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. 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 go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $17,445 | 9.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $23,546 | 9.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $29,789 | 9.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $36,175 | 9.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $42,704 | 9.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $49,376 | 8.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $56,190 | 8.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $63,148 | 8.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Dawsonville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- 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 substantial role in the company you go with.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 Dawsonville, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dawsonville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, 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. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Dawsonville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't 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 savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Dawsonville?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your power bills are already reasonably 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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.