Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bessemer City, NC (2025 Update)

  • Bessemer City Solar Installation Cost: $16,736
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,116
  • Payback Period: 13.0 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

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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 Bessemer City

Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Bessemer City.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Bessemer City it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Bessemer City, most homeowners require a 6.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,736, or $23,932 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Bessemer City homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Bessemer City can save about $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Bessemer City

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,414
3 years$-12,770
5 years$-10,125
7 years$-7,481
9 years$-4,837
11 years$-2,193
13 years$452
15 years$3,096
17 years$5,740
19 years$8,384
21 years$11,029
23 years$13,673
25 years$16,317

Top Solar Installers in Bessemer City

Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra energy and expertise. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. A solar installer can also help save you money over time by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Bessemer City, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

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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 Bessemer City

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bessemer City

For many Bessemer City homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Bessemer City, 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

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bessemer City to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.It’s wise to include 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 remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Bessemer City, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Bessemer City are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.65$15,332$13,05613.5 years
8 kW$3.58$20,049$17,80113.2 years
10 kW$3.51$24,570$22,74213.0 years
12 kW$3.44$28,894$27,88012.7 years
14 kW$3.37$33,022$33,21512.5 years
16 kW$3.30$36,953$38,74612.2 years
18 kW$3.23$40,688$44,47411.9 years
20 kW$3.16$44,226$50,39911.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies to choose from in Bessemer City, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar panels, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you’d like to install plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
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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 Bessemer City, NC Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bessemer City?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,550 for a 5-kW system and $35,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Bessemer City?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Bessemer City. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Do solar panels increase your home value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Bessemer City is currently $251,671, so you could be looking at a value of about $10,319 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Bessemer City is a worthwhile investment.

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 are completely unusable 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 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.