Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Fulton, GA (Mar 2023)
- South Fulton Solar Installation Cost: $12,138
- 25-Year Savings: $21,630
- Payback Period: 9.0 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 South Fulton
Here's how much it might cost to switch to solar power in South Fulton.
In South Fulton, solar panels cost about 2.55 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in South Fulton, most homeowners require a 6.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,138, or $17,357 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in South Fulton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,787 |
| 3 years | $-8,086 |
| 5 years | $-5,384 |
| 7 years | $-2,683 |
| 9 years | $18 |
| 11 years | $2,720 |
| 13 years | $5,421 |
| 15 years | $8,122 |
| 17 years | $10,824 |
| 19 years | $13,525 |
| 21 years | $16,227 |
| 23 years | $18,928 |
| 25 years | $21,630 |
Top Solar Installers in South Fulton
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be hard. Plus, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar energy, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
Working with a vetted solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 South Fulton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Fulton
For many South Fulton homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in South Fulton, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over 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 pay around $2,550 per kilowatt in South Fulton. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like South Fulton, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable choice because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for South Fulton homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in South Fulton, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. You may notice 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 specials 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 | $18,658 | 9.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $25,163 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $31,811 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $38,601 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $45,534 | 8.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $52,610 | 8.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $59,829 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $67,191 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in South Fulton, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 South Fulton, GA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Fulton?
The average cost of solar panels in South Fulton is about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in South Fulton?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically 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 way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in South Fulton?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.