Solar Panel Cost Guide in Leitchfield, KY (2024 Update)
- Leitchfield Solar Installation Cost: $24,206
- 25-Year Savings: $10,365
- Payback Period: 23.4 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Leitchfield
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Leitchfield.
In Leitchfield, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average Leitchfield homeowner needs a 9.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $24,206 with the federal tax credit, or $34,615 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
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 needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $11,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in Leitchfield for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Leitchfield
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-22,827 |
| 3 years | $-20,069 |
| 5 years | $-17,311 |
| 7 years | $-14,554 |
| 9 years | $-11,796 |
| 11 years | $-9,038 |
| 13 years | $-6,280 |
| 15 years | $-3,523 |
| 17 years | $-765 |
| 19 years | $1,993 |
| 21 years | $4,751 |
| 23 years | $7,508 |
| 25 years | $10,266 |
Top Solar Installers in Leitchfield
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it takes extra labor and knowledge. That's why most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Local solar installers can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.
Working with a professional solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Leitchfield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Leitchfield
The cost of installing a solar system in Leitchfield can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,650.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Leitchfield average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a popular choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Leitchfield, you’ll have many 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 bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, 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 | $3.80 | $15,943 | $449 | 24.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $1,007 | 23.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $1,770 | 23.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $2,737 | 22.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $3,909 | 22.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $5,285 | 22.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $6,865 | 21.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $8,650 | 21.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Leitchfield, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- 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.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies have different panels.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
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 Leitchfield, KY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Leitchfield?
This is a tough 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 other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Leitchfield?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.