Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hardwick, GA (2023 Update)
- Hardwick Solar Installation Cost: $11,727
- 25-Year Savings: $23,979
- Payback Period: 8.2 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hardwick
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Hardwick.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Hardwick it's 2.55 per watt. The average Hardwick homeowner needs a 6.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,727 with the federal tax credit, or $16,770 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Hardwick based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on power bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Hardwick for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Hardwick
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,299 |
| 3 years | $-7,443 |
| 5 years | $-4,586 |
| 7 years | $-1,730 |
| 9 years | $1,127 |
| 11 years | $3,983 |
| 13 years | $6,840 |
| 15 years | $9,696 |
| 17 years | $12,553 |
| 19 years | $15,409 |
| 21 years | $18,266 |
| 23 years | $21,123 |
| 25 years | $23,979 |
Top Solar Installers in Hardwick
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra energy and knowledge. That's why the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies offer can be useful as well, particularly if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Hardwick
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hardwick
The cost of installing a solar system in Hardwick can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Hardwick, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to sustainable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Hardwick, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. The company's size can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and bulk 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 | $21,461 | 8.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $28,901 | 8.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $36,483 | 8.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $44,208 | 8.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $52,075 | 7.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $60,086 | 7.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $68,239 | 7.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $76,535 | 7.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should consider, such as:
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer'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 component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
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 Hardwick, GA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Hardwick?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Hardwick?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct 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?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.