Solar Panel Cost Guide in Burlington, NC (2024 Update)

  • Burlington Solar Installation Cost: $17,117
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,564
  • 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 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 Burlington

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Burlington.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Burlington, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 7.0-kW system would cost about $17,117 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are just estimates, and the cost of going solar for you may vary based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with.With average savings of about $18,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Burlington find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in your area for a custom quote.

Solar savings over time in Burlington

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,770
3 years $-13,076
5 years $-10,382
7 years $-7,688
9 years $-4,994
11 years $-2,300
13 years $394
15 years $3,088
17 years $5,782
19 years $8,475
21 years $11,169
23 years $13,863
25 years $16,557

Top Solar Installers in Burlington

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for your home.

If you're searching for a solar company in Burlington, we've organized 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 Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

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

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Burlington

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Burlington

There are several factors that can affect your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider 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

Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Burlington homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Burlington homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Burlington is the company you get to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 want and also is 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 $3.65 $15,332 $13,047 13.5 years
8 kW $3.58 $20,049 $17,789 13.2 years
10 kW $3.51 $24,570 $22,728 13.0 years
12 kW $3.44 $28,894 $27,864 12.7 years
14 kW $3.37 $33,022 $33,195 12.5 years
16 kW $3.30 $36,953 $38,724 12.2 years
18 kW $3.23 $40,688 $44,449 11.9 years
20 kW $3.16 $44,226 $50,370 11.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.

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 Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

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

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Burlington, NC Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Burlington is about $17,550 for a 5-kW system and $35,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Do solar panels increase your property value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Burlington is currently $224,874, which means you could be looking at a value of about $9,220 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Burlington is a rewarding investment.

How long do solar panels last in Burlington?

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 larger level 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.

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