Solar Panel Cost Guide in Elizabethtown, KY (2024 Update)
- Elizabethtown Solar Installation Cost: $24,376
- 25-Year Savings: $24,177
- Payback Period: 15.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Elizabethtown
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Elizabethtown.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Elizabethtown generally cost about 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Elizabethtown, most homeowners require a 9.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $24,376, or $34,858 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Elizabethtown homeowner can save about $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in Elizabethtown, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Elizabethtown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-22,996 |
| 3 years | $-20,235 |
| 5 years | $-17,475 |
| 7 years | $-14,714 |
| 9 years | $-11,954 |
| 11 years | $-9,194 |
| 13 years | $-6,433 |
| 15 years | $-3,673 |
| 17 years | $-912 |
| 19 years | $1,848 |
| 21 years | $4,609 |
| 23 years | $7,369 |
| 25 years | $10,129 |
Top Solar Installers in Elizabethtown
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar installation company since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. A solar company can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Elizabethtown, the EcoWatch team has put together 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 Elizabethtown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Elizabethtown
The cost of installing a solar system in Elizabethtown 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 household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,650 per kilowatt in Elizabethtown.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Generally, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. 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
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Elizabethtown homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Elizabethtown homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose will affect your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car 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 | $9,089 | 15.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $12,528 | 15.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $16,171 | 15.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $20,018 | 15.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $24,070 | 14.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $28,326 | 14.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $32,787 | 14.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $37,452 | 13.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Elizabethtown, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two 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 good reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have various brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
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 Elizabethtown, KY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Elizabethtown?
The average cost of solar panels in Elizabethtown 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 such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Elizabethtown?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Elizabethtown. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is it worth going solar in Elizabethtown?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires 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.