Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden City, GA (2023 Update)
- Garden City Solar Installation Cost: $10,888
- 25-Year Savings: $24,772
- Payback Period: 7.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garden City
We go over average solar pricing in Garden City.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Garden City it's 2.55 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 6.1-kW system would cost about $10,888 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Garden City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,462 |
| 3 years | $-6,609 |
| 5 years | $-3,756 |
| 7 years | $-904 |
| 9 years | $1,949 |
| 11 years | $4,802 |
| 13 years | $7,655 |
| 15 years | $10,508 |
| 17 years | $13,361 |
| 19 years | $16,213 |
| 21 years | $19,066 |
| 23 years | $21,919 |
| 25 years | $24,772 |
Top Solar Installers in Garden City
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra labor and know-how. That's why most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your home.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Garden City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden City
Although the average cost of a solar system in Garden City is $10,888, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Garden City homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Garden City homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you pick will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $23,946 | 7.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $32,214 | 7.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $40,624 | 7.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $49,177 | 7.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $57,873 | 7.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $66,712 | 7.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $75,694 | 7.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $84,818 | 6.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the endurance of your solar system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before deciding.
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 Garden City, GA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Garden City?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Garden City?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Is it worth going solar in Garden City?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.