Solar Panel Cost Guide in Ayden, NC (2023 Update)
- Ayden Solar Installation Cost: $12,428
- 25-Year Savings: $21,463
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Ayden
We go over average solar pricing in Ayden.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Ayden it's 2.54 per watt. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Ayden, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,428, or $17,772 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% 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 consumption, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more. With typical savings of about $18,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Ayden find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in Ayden for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Ayden
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,073 |
| 3 years | $-8,361 |
| 5 years | $-5,650 |
| 7 years | $-2,939 |
| 9 years | $-227 |
| 11 years | $2,484 |
| 13 years | $5,195 |
| 15 years | $7,907 |
| 17 years | $10,618 |
| 19 years | $13,329 |
| 21 years | $16,041 |
| 23 years | $18,752 |
| 25 years | $21,463 |
Top Solar Installers in Ayden
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra time and handiness. That's one of the reasons most people choose a solar panel installer. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Ayden, therefore optimizing your ROI.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Ayden
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Ayden
The cost of installing a solar system in Ayden 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
One of the most significant 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 uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,540 per kilowatt in Ayden. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Ayden provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Ayden homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Ayden, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fits within your budget.
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 | $18,014 | 9.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $24,303 | 9.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $30,734 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $37,308 | 9.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $44,024 | 8.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $50,882 | 8.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $57,882 | 8.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $65,025 | 8.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the longevity of your solar panel system, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Ayden, NC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Ayden?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Ayden?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future electricity bills.
How long do solar panels last in Ayden?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.