Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clinton, NC (2023 Update)
- Clinton Solar Installation Cost: $12,286
- 25-Year Savings: $21,847
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clinton
We go over average solar pricing in Clinton.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Clinton it's 2.54 per watt. Because a 6.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Clinton, the average price of going solar will be about $12,286 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Clinton homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With average savings of about $19,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Clinton find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Clinton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,921 |
| 3 years | $-8,190 |
| 5 years | $-5,459 |
| 7 years | $-2,729 |
| 9 years | $2 |
| 11 years | $2,732 |
| 13 years | $5,463 |
| 15 years | $8,194 |
| 17 years | $10,924 |
| 19 years | $13,655 |
| 21 years | $16,385 |
| 23 years | $19,116 |
| 25 years | $21,847 |
Top Solar Installers in Clinton
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra labor and handiness. For that reason, most people choose a solar panel installer. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Clinton, optimizing your ROI.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 Clinton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clinton
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Clinton: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $2,540. The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on 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 for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Clinton to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Clinton is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. The company's size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down 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 | $18,524 | 9.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $24,983 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $31,584 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $38,327 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $45,213 | 8.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $52,241 | 8.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $59,411 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $66,724 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies to choose from in Clinton, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean 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 check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
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 Clinton, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Clinton?
The average cost of solar panels in Clinton is about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Clinton?
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 financial benefits from going solar.
How will installing solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
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 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.