Solar Panel Cost Guide in Doraville, GA (2023 Update)
- Doraville Solar Installation Cost: $12,084
- 25-Year Savings: $23,576
- Payback Period: 8.5 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Doraville
See how much it might cost to go solar in Doraville.
In Doraville, solar panels cost about 2.55 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Doraville, most homeowners require a 6.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,084, or $17,280 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The actual cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what company you go with. With typical savings of about $20,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Doraville find going solar can be quite rewarding.
To get a free quote from a highly rated solar company in Doraville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Doraville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,658 |
| 3 years | $-7,805 |
| 5 years | $-4,952 |
| 7 years | $-2,100 |
| 9 years | $753 |
| 11 years | $3,606 |
| 13 years | $6,459 |
| 15 years | $9,312 |
| 17 years | $12,165 |
| 19 years | $15,018 |
| 21 years | $17,870 |
| 23 years | $20,723 |
| 25 years | $23,576 |
Top Solar Installers in Doraville
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a challenging project, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. 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 Doraville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Doraville
Although the average cost of a solar system in Doraville is $12,084, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need, 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 about $2,550. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you're looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Doraville to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's vital to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Doraville, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $20,470 | 8.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $27,579 | 8.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $34,831 | 8.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $42,226 | 8.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $49,763 | 8.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $57,444 | 8.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $65,267 | 7.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $73,232 | 7.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Doraville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: When reading through your solar company'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 part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Doraville?
The average cost of solar panels in Doraville is about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Doraville?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Is it worth going solar in Doraville?
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 enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically 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.