Solar Panel Cost Guide in Southgate, KY (2025 Update)

  • Southgate Solar Installation Cost: $24,826
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,909
  • Payback Period: 19.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Southgate

We break down average solar pricing in Southgate.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Southgate it’s 4 per watt.Since a 9.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Southgate, the average price of going solar will be about $24,826 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

These figures are just estimates, and the cost of going solar for you may look different based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Southgate homeowner can save around $12,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Southgate

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-23,632
3 years$-21,242
5 years$-18,853
7 years$-16,464
9 years$-14,075
11 years$-11,685
13 years$-9,296
15 years$-6,907
17 years$-4,518
19 years$-2,128
21 years$261
23 years$2,650
25 years$5,040

Top Solar Installers in Southgate

DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Going with an installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Another upside of utilizing a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

See all of the solar companies in Southgate

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Southgate

Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Southgate: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,650. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to install 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

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Southgate, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Southgate is the company you get to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that provides the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.80$15,943$3,70820.3 years
8 kW$3.72$20,849$5,35319.9 years
10 kW$3.65$25,550$7,20219.5 years
12 kW$3.58$30,047$9,25619.1 years
14 kW$3.50$34,339$11,51418.7 years
16 kW$3.43$38,427$13,97718.3 years
18 kW$3.36$42,311$16,64417.9 years
20 kW$3.29$45,990$19,51517.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, such as:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

EcoWatch's Southgate, KY Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Southgate?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration 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.

Is switching to solar power worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How long do solar panels last in Southgate?

Even though 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.