Solar Panel Cost Guide in Swainsboro, GA (2025 Update)
- Swainsboro Solar Installation Cost: $16,961
- 25-Year Savings: $23,915
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Swainsboro
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Swainsboro.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Swainsboro, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Swainsboro, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,961, or $24,254 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Swainsboro based on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find going solar is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Swainsboro can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Swainsboro
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,367 |
| 3 years | $-12,181 |
| 5 years | $-8,994 |
| 7 years | $-5,808 |
| 9 years | $-2,621 |
| 11 years | $565 |
| 13 years | $3,751 |
| 15 years | $6,938 |
| 17 years | $10,124 |
| 19 years | $13,311 |
| 21 years | $16,497 |
| 23 years | $19,684 |
| 25 years | $22,870 |
Top Solar Installers in Swainsboro
When going solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance in the long run.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Swainsboro
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Swainsboro
For many Swainsboro homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Swainsboro, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Typically, 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 only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Swainsboro, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s wise to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you select will influence your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $16,523 | 12.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.81 | $21,363 | $22,449 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.74 | $26,180 | $28,585 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,788 | $34,930 | 11.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.59 | $35,186 | $41,485 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,375 | $48,249 | 11.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.44 | $43,354 | $55,223 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.37 | $47,124 | $62,406 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Swainsboro, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you opt for.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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 Swainsboro, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Swainsboro?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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 cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Swainsboro?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because 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 maximize your savings.
Does Swainsboro have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though 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 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.