Solar Panel Cost Guide in Columbia, KY (2025 Update)
- Columbia Solar Installation Cost: $24,279
- 25-Year Savings: $23,079
- Payback Period: 15.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Columbia
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Columbia.
In Columbia, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 9.5-kW system would cost about $24,279 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Columbia depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Columbia homeowner can save around $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Columbia
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-22,901 |
3 years | $-20,143 |
5 years | $-17,385 |
7 years | $-14,627 |
9 years | $-11,869 |
11 years | $-9,112 |
13 years | $-6,354 |
15 years | $-3,596 |
17 years | $-838 |
19 years | $1,919 |
21 years | $4,677 |
23 years | $7,435 |
25 years | $10,193 |
Top Solar Installers in Columbia
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to go with a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Columbia
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Columbia
For many Columbia homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Columbia, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Columbia, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower 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 will be looking at 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 increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Columbia to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Columbia, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 kW | $3.80 | $15,943 | $8,457 | 16.3 years |
8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $11,685 | 16.0 years |
10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $15,117 | 15.7 years |
12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $18,753 | 15.4 years |
14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $22,594 | 15.1 years |
16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $26,640 | 14.8 years |
18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $30,889 | 14.5 years |
20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $35,344 | 14.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer different brands and types of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Columbia, KY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Columbia?
The average cost of solar panels in Columbia is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Columbia?
The majority of states have 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 many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.