Solar Panel Cost Guide in Butner, NC (2023 Update)
- Butner Solar Installation Cost: $12,499
- 25-Year Savings: $18,113
- Payback Period: 10.2 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 Butner
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Butner.
The average cost of solar panels in Butner is 2.54 per watt. Because a 7.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Butner, the average price of going solar will be about $12,499 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To receive a free estimate from a top solar installation company in Butner, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Butner
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,275 |
| 3 years | $-8,826 |
| 5 years | $-6,377 |
| 7 years | $-3,928 |
| 9 years | $-1,479 |
| 11 years | $970 |
| 13 years | $3,419 |
| 15 years | $5,868 |
| 17 years | $8,317 |
| 19 years | $10,766 |
| 21 years | $13,215 |
| 23 years | $15,664 |
| 25 years | $18,113 |
Top Solar Installers in Butner
When going solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. A solar installer can also help save you money over time by providing warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Butner
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Butner
Although the average cost of a solar system in Butner is $12,499, your final cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Butner, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,540 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Butner, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of 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
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's important to consider that as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Butner, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger 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 | $15,015 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $20,304 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $25,736 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $31,310 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $37,026 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $42,884 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $48,885 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $55,028 | 9.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
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 Butner, NC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Butner?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is going solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.