Solar Panel Cost Guide in Forest Park, GA (2023 Update)
- Forest Park Solar Installation Cost: $11,995
- 25-Year Savings: $22,260
- Payback Period: 8.8 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Forest Park
We break down average solar pricing in Forest Park.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Forest Park generally cost around 2.55. The average Forest Park homeowner needs a 6.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,995 with the federal tax credit, or $17,153 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $19,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Forest Park
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,625 |
| 3 years | $-7,885 |
| 5 years | $-5,144 |
| 7 years | $-2,404 |
| 9 years | $337 |
| 11 years | $3,077 |
| 13 years | $5,818 |
| 15 years | $8,558 |
| 17 years | $11,298 |
| 19 years | $14,039 |
| 21 years | $16,779 |
| 23 years | $19,520 |
| 25 years | $22,260 |
Top Solar Installers in Forest Park
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Another advantage of going with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Forest Park, we've 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 Forest Park
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Forest Park
The cost of installing a solar system in Forest Park can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Forest Park, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,550 for each additional kilowatt you need. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install 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
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Forest Park homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Forest Park homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Forest Park is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. The company's size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of 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 promotion can bring their pricing down 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 | $19,450 | 9.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $26,218 | 8.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $33,130 | 8.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $40,184 | 8.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $47,381 | 8.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $54,721 | 8.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $62,204 | 8.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $69,830 | 7.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many 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:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system 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 EcoWatch.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 Forest Park, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Forest Park?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally 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 other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Forest Park?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Forest Park?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.