Solar Panel Cost Guide in Douglass Hills, KY (2024 Update)
- Douglass Hills Solar Installation Cost: $24,524
- 25-Year Savings: $24,334
- Payback Period: 15.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Douglass Hills
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Douglass Hills.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Douglass Hills generally cost about 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Douglass Hills, most homeowners require a 9.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $24,524, or $35,069 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember 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 panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Douglass Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,055 |
| 3 years | $-20,118 |
| 5 years | $-17,181 |
| 7 years | $-14,243 |
| 9 years | $-11,306 |
| 11 years | $-8,369 |
| 13 years | $-5,431 |
| 15 years | $-2,494 |
| 17 years | $443 |
| 19 years | $3,380 |
| 21 years | $6,318 |
| 23 years | $9,255 |
| 25 years | $12,192 |
Top Solar Installers in Douglass Hills
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since putting up a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Another benefit of going with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your ROI by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you're searching for a solar company in Douglass Hills, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Douglass Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Douglass Hills
There are a number of factors that can determine your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Douglass Hills, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Douglass Hills homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Douglass Hills, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $9,096 | 15.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $12,537 | 15.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $16,182 | 15.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $20,032 | 15.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $24,086 | 14.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $28,345 | 14.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $32,807 | 14.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $37,475 | 13.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When reading over 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 part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s essential to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the completion timeline.
- 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.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Douglass Hills, KY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Douglass Hills?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Douglass Hills?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Douglass Hills?
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 electricity 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 Douglass Hills?
Although 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to 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.