Solar Panel Cost Guide in Doraville, GA (2024 Update)
- Doraville Solar Installation Cost: $17,721
- 25-Year Savings: $23,578
- Payback Period: 12.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Doraville
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Doraville.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Doraville typically cost about 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Doraville, most homeowners require a 6.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,721, or $25,341 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Doraville depending on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average Doraville homeowners see about $20,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Doraville for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Doraville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,128 |
| 3 years | $-12,942 |
| 5 years | $-9,755 |
| 7 years | $-6,569 |
| 9 years | $-3,382 |
| 11 years | $-196 |
| 13 years | $2,991 |
| 15 years | $6,177 |
| 17 years | $9,364 |
| 19 years | $12,550 |
| 21 years | $15,736 |
| 23 years | $18,923 |
| 25 years | $22,109 |
Top Solar Installers in Doraville
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. The payback period of solar panels will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy use, but going with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Doraville, 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
See all of the solar companies in Doraville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Doraville
The cost of installing a solar system in Doraville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,740. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Doraville, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Doraville provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Doraville is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 find a company that has 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 | $3.89 | $16,336 | $15,272 | 12.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.81 | $21,363 | $20,782 | 12.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.74 | $26,180 | $26,501 | 12.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,788 | $32,430 | 12.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.59 | $35,186 | $38,568 | 11.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,375 | $44,915 | 11.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.44 | $43,354 | $51,472 | 11.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.37 | $47,124 | $58,238 | 11.2 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 find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things 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.
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 Doraville, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Doraville?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Doraville?
Solar panels aren’t free in Doraville, 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 can help lower the cost.
Does Doraville have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses 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 household 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.