Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Marys, GA (2023 Update)
- St. Marys Solar Installation Cost: $10,844
- 25-Year Savings: $25,271
- Payback Period: 7.5 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Marys
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in St. Marys.
In St. Marys, solar panels cost about 2.55 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in St. Marys, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $10,853, or $15,520 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $23,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Marys
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,724 |
| 3 years | $-10,483 |
| 5 years | $-10,242 |
| 7 years | $-10,001 |
| 9 years | $-9,761 |
| 11 years | $-9,520 |
| 13 years | $-9,279 |
| 15 years | $-9,038 |
| 17 years | $-8,798 |
| 19 years | $-8,557 |
| 21 years | $-8,316 |
| 23 years | $-8,075 |
| 25 years | $-7,835 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Marys
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and expertise. That's why most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Plus, if you're not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in St. Marys:
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 St. Marys
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Marys
There are several criteria that can influence your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
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 energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,550 per kilowatt in St. Marys. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater 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
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many St. Marys homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for St. Marys homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to solar energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in St. Marys, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and find a company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $24,529 | 7.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $32,991 | 7.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $41,596 | 7.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $50,344 | 7.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $59,234 | 7.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $68,268 | 7.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $77,444 | 6.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $86,763 | 6.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in St. Marys, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, be sure to look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're unsure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
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 St. Marys, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Marys?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in St. Marys?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it commonly 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in St. Marys?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity 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.