Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gainesville, GA (2023 Update)
- Gainesville Solar Installation Cost: $12,120
- 25-Year Savings: $20,828
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gainesville
We break down average solar pricing in Gainesville.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Gainesville, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.55 per watt. The average Gainesville homeowner needs a 6.8-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,120 with the federal tax credit, or $17,332 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will most likely look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average Gainesville homeowners see about $18,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Gainesville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,802 |
| 3 years | $-8,166 |
| 5 years | $-5,530 |
| 7 years | $-2,895 |
| 9 years | $-259 |
| 11 years | $2,377 |
| 13 years | $5,013 |
| 15 years | $7,649 |
| 17 years | $10,285 |
| 19 years | $12,921 |
| 21 years | $15,556 |
| 23 years | $18,192 |
| 25 years | $20,828 |
Top Solar Installers in Gainesville
When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Another advantage of working with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your ROI 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 on the hunt for a solar installer in Gainesville, we've put together 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 Gainesville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gainesville
The cost of installing a solar system in Gainesville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer 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 about $2,550 per kilowatt in Gainesville. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Gainesville to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can play a role in determining the cost. Gainesville's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $17,986 | 9.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $24,267 | 9.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $30,691 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $37,257 | 9.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $43,967 | 8.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $50,819 | 8.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $57,814 | 8.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $64,951 | 8.3 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 select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you opt for.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, be sure to read it through fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
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 Gainesville, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Gainesville?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper 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 keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
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 needs 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 house 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.