Solar Panel Cost Guide in Winder, GA (Mar 2023)
- Winder Solar Installation Cost: $12,067
- 25-Year Savings: $20,700
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Winder
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Winder.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Winder, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.55 per watt. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Winder, most homeowners require a 6.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,067, or $17,256 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 a solar panel system. The actual cost of going solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with. Even with the large initial cost, the average Winder homeowner can save about $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Winder
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,756 |
| 3 years | $-8,135 |
| 5 years | $-5,513 |
| 7 years | $-2,892 |
| 9 years | $-271 |
| 11 years | $2,351 |
| 13 years | $4,972 |
| 15 years | $7,593 |
| 17 years | $10,214 |
| 19 years | $12,836 |
| 21 years | $15,457 |
| 23 years | $18,078 |
| 25 years | $20,700 |
Top Solar Installers in Winder
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of an installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your location and energy use, but working with a solar installer can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.
Working with a professional solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. 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 Winder
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Winder
The cost of installing a solar system in Winder can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Winder to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you select will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $17,931 | 9.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $24,193 | 9.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $30,598 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $37,147 | 9.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $43,837 | 8.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $50,671 | 8.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $57,648 | 8.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $64,767 | 8.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- 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.
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 Winder, GA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Winder?
The average cost of solar panels in Winder 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 like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels eliminate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $968.97 per year.
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.