Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pelham, GA (2023 Update)
- Pelham Solar Installation Cost: $11,586
- 25-Year Savings: $27,381
- Payback Period: 7.4 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pelham
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Pelham.
In Pelham, solar panels cost about 2.55 per watt on average. The average Pelham homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,585 with the federal tax credit, or $16,567 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Pelham depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $23,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in Pelham for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Pelham
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,456 |
| 3 years | $-11,196 |
| 5 years | $-10,936 |
| 7 years | $-10,676 |
| 9 years | $-10,417 |
| 11 years | $-10,157 |
| 13 years | $-9,897 |
| 15 years | $-9,637 |
| 17 years | $-9,377 |
| 19 years | $-9,118 |
| 21 years | $-8,858 |
| 23 years | $-8,598 |
| 25 years | $-8,338 |
Top Solar Installers in Pelham
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to use a solar company since handling can be a challenging project. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy consumption, but going with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't certain which solar system company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 Pelham
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pelham
There are many factors that can influence your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,550. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you're looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Pelham offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. It's wise to include the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Pelham, 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 larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, 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 | $24,883 | 7.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $33,463 | 7.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $42,186 | 7.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $51,052 | 7.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $60,060 | 7.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $69,211 | 7.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $78,505 | 6.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $87,942 | 6.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will affect not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you opt for.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good 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.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the durability of your solar energy system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
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 Pelham, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Pelham?
This is a tough 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. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Pelham?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Pelham, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in Pelham?
Even 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.