Solar Panel Cost Guide in Swainsboro, GA (2023 Update)
- Swainsboro Solar Installation Cost: $11,567
- 25-Year Savings: $23,913
- Payback Period: 8.1 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Swainsboro
Here's how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Swainsboro.
In Swainsboro, solar panels cost about 2.55 per watt on average. Since a 6.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Swainsboro, the average price of going solar will be about $11,567 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more. Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Swainsboro homeowner can save around $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in Swainsboro, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Swainsboro
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,148 |
| 3 years | $-7,309 |
| 5 years | $-4,471 |
| 7 years | $-1,633 |
| 9 years | $1,206 |
| 11 years | $4,044 |
| 13 years | $6,883 |
| 15 years | $9,721 |
| 17 years | $12,559 |
| 19 years | $15,398 |
| 21 years | $18,236 |
| 23 years | $21,074 |
| 25 years | $23,913 |
Top Solar Installers in Swainsboro
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be hard. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Swainsboro, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Swainsboro
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Swainsboro
There are several factors that can influence your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,550 per kilowatt in Swainsboro. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Swainsboro, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, 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
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Swainsboro homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Swainsboro is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Additionally, some companies in Swainsboro know more about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $21,721 | 8.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $29,246 | 8.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $36,915 | 8.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $44,726 | 8.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $52,681 | 7.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $60,778 | 7.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $69,017 | 7.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $77,400 | 7.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you choose.
- Contract: When reading through 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 like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Swainsboro, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Swainsboro?
This is a difficult 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. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,095.30 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Swainsboro?
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.