Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clarksville, IN (2023 Update)
- Clarksville Solar Installation Cost: $16,209
- 25-Year Savings: $23,788
- Payback Period: 10.1 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clarksville
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Clarksville.
In Clarksville, solar panels cost about 2.68 per watt on average. Since a 8.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Clarksville, the average price of going solar will be about $16,209 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 will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. Even with the large upfront cost, the average Clarksville homeowner can save about $18,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Clarksville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Clarksville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,609 |
| 3 years | $-11,409 |
| 5 years | $-8,209 |
| 7 years | $-5,010 |
| 9 years | $-1,810 |
| 11 years | $1,390 |
| 13 years | $4,589 |
| 15 years | $7,789 |
| 17 years | $10,989 |
| 19 years | $14,189 |
| 21 years | $17,388 |
| 23 years | $20,588 |
| 25 years | $23,788 |
Top Solar Installers in Clarksville
Installing solar panels yourself can be a stressful task, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another great thing about choosing a reliable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Clarksville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clarksville
While the average cost of a solar system in Clarksville is $16,209, your final cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy 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 about $2,680 per kilowatt in Clarksville. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Generally, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you're looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
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 Clarksville homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Clarksville, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down 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 | $2.79 | $11,706 | $16,069 | 10.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.73 | $15,308 | $21,725 | 10.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.68 | $18,760 | $27,531 | 10.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.63 | $22,062 | $33,488 | 9.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.57 | $25,213 | $39,594 | 9.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.52 | $28,215 | $45,851 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,067 | $52,258 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.41 | $33,768 | $58,815 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the durability of your solar panel system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before making your decision.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Clarksville, IN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Clarksville?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,400 for a 5-kW system and $26,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Does Clarksville have a net metering program?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Clarksville?
Although 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 decide 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.