Solar Panel Cost Guide in Manchester, GA (2024 Update)
- Manchester Solar Installation Cost: $17,489
- 25-Year Savings: $24,362
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Manchester
We break down average solar pricing in Manchester.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Manchester generally cost around 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Manchester, most homeowners require a 6.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,489, or $25,009 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Manchester homeowner can save around $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Manchester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,896 |
| 3 years | $-12,710 |
| 5 years | $-9,523 |
| 7 years | $-6,337 |
| 9 years | $-3,150 |
| 11 years | $36 |
| 13 years | $3,223 |
| 15 years | $6,409 |
| 17 years | $9,596 |
| 19 years | $12,782 |
| 21 years | $15,968 |
| 23 years | $19,155 |
| 25 years | $22,341 |
Top Solar Installers in Manchester
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra time and handiness. That's why the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Since solar panels are exposed to temperature swings and extreme weather, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Manchester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Manchester
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Manchester: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,740 per kilowatt in Manchester.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Manchester have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Manchester homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining the cost. Manchester’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $3.89 | $16,336 | $16,254 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.81 | $21,363 | $22,091 | 12.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.74 | $26,180 | $28,137 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,788 | $34,393 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.59 | $35,186 | $40,858 | 11.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,375 | $47,533 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.44 | $43,354 | $54,417 | 11.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.37 | $47,124 | $61,510 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’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 part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Manchester, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Manchester?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $18,700 for a 5-kW system and $37,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
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 cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will having solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Manchester is currently $104,451, so you can expect a value of about $4,282 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Manchester is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in Manchester?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.