Solar Panel Cost Guide in Macon, GA (Mar 2023)
- Macon Solar Installation Cost: $11,763
- 25-Year Savings: $23,466
- Payback Period: 8.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Macon
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Macon.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Macon it's 2.55 per watt. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Macon, most homeowners require a 6.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,763, or $16,821 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The actual price you pay can be above or below the average in Macon depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar installation company in Macon, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Macon
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,354 |
| 3 years | $-7,536 |
| 5 years | $-4,717 |
| 7 years | $-1,899 |
| 9 years | $919 |
| 11 years | $3,738 |
| 13 years | $6,556 |
| 15 years | $9,374 |
| 17 years | $12,193 |
| 19 years | $15,011 |
| 21 years | $17,829 |
| 23 years | $20,648 |
| 25 years | $23,466 |
Top Solar Installers in Macon
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Another perk of working with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are a number of 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 Macon
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Macon
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Macon: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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 extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a popular choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Macon homeowners, they can also increase 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
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Macon, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $20,954 | 8.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $28,224 | 8.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $35,637 | 8.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $43,192 | 8.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $50,891 | 8.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $58,732 | 7.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $66,716 | 7.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $74,843 | 7.5 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable 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.
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 Macon, GA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Macon?
The average cost of solar panels in Macon is about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Macon?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount 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.