Solar Panel Cost Guide in Waynesboro, MS (2024 Update)

  • Waynesboro Solar Installation Cost: $18,027
  • 25-Year Savings: $29,334
  • Payback Period: 10.1 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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 Waynesboro

We break down average solar pricing in Waynesboro.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Waynesboro it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Waynesboro, most homeowners require a 8.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $18,027, or $25,779 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Waynesboro homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Despite the high initial cost, the average Waynesboro homeowner can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

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

Solar savings over time in Waynesboro

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-16,199
3 years $-12,543
5 years $-8,887
7 years $-5,231
9 years $-1,575
11 years $2,081
13 years $5,737
15 years $9,394
17 years $13,050
19 years $16,706
21 years $20,362
23 years $24,018
25 years $27,674

Top Solar Installers in Waynesboro

When going solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installation company since installing solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.

If you're searching for a solar company in Waynesboro, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Waynesboro

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Waynesboro

For many Waynesboro homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Waynesboro, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,140 per kilowatt in Waynesboro.The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in Waynesboro, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you pick will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Additionally, some companies in Waynesboro are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $3.27 $13,716 $18,832 10.5 years
8 kW $3.20 $17,936 $25,461 10.3 years
10 kW $3.14 $21,980 $32,265 10.1 years
12 kW $3.08 $25,848 $39,246 9.9 years
14 kW $3.01 $29,541 $46,403 9.7 years
16 kW $2.95 $33,058 $53,735 9.5 years
18 kW $2.89 $36,399 $61,243 9.3 years
20 kW $2.83 $39,564 $68,927 9.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you go with will influence not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, including:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you choose.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • 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 expectations you should have about the cost.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Waynesboro, MS Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Waynesboro is about $15,700 for a 5-kW system and $31,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Waynesboro?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property 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 savings from going solar.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Waynesboro?

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility 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 Waynesboro?

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 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.

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