Solar Panel Cost Guide in Asheville, NC (Mar 2023)
- Asheville Solar Installation Cost: $12,393
- 25-Year Savings: $20,150
- Payback Period: 9.5 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Asheville
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Asheville.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Asheville, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.54 per watt. The average Asheville homeowner needs a 7.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,393 with the federal tax credit, or $17,722 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $18,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Asheville that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Asheville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,091 |
| 3 years | $-8,487 |
| 5 years | $-5,884 |
| 7 years | $-3,281 |
| 9 years | $-677 |
| 11 years | $1,926 |
| 13 years | $4,530 |
| 15 years | $7,133 |
| 17 years | $9,737 |
| 19 years | $12,340 |
| 21 years | $14,943 |
| 23 years | $17,547 |
| 25 years | $20,150 |
Top Solar Installers in Asheville
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra time and handiness. That's why the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also provide access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for you.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Asheville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Asheville
For many Asheville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Asheville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Asheville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Asheville to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest. Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Asheville homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system due to interest. 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 solar panel installation company you choose will influence your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions 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 | $2.64 | $11,095 | $16,936 | 9.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $22,866 | 9.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $28,938 | 9.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $35,152 | 9.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $41,509 | 9.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $48,007 | 8.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $54,648 | 8.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $61,432 | 8.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- 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 how long the project will take.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Asheville, NC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Asheville?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Asheville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to 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 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 solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $934.36 per year.
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 needs 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 household 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.