Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Flat Rock, NC (2023 Update)
- East Flat Rock Solar Installation Cost: $12,197
- 25-Year Savings: $18,483
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Flat Rock
We break down average solar pricing in East Flat Rock.
The average cost of a solar panel system in East Flat Rock is 2.54 per watt. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in East Flat Rock, most homeowners require a 6.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,197, or $17,442 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in East Flat Rock based on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in East Flat Rock for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in East Flat Rock
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,970 |
| 3 years | $-8,516 |
| 5 years | $-6,061 |
| 7 years | $-3,607 |
| 9 years | $-1,152 |
| 11 years | $1,302 |
| 13 years | $3,756 |
| 15 years | $6,211 |
| 17 years | $8,665 |
| 19 years | $11,120 |
| 21 years | $13,574 |
| 23 years | $16,028 |
| 25 years | $18,483 |
Top Solar Installers in East Flat Rock
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. In addition, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels 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
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 East Flat Rock
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Flat Rock
There are many factors that can affect your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why 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 brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in East Flat Rock to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest. When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in East Flat Rock, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Some companies 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 has 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 | $15,727 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $21,253 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $26,922 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $32,733 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $38,687 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $44,782 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $51,020 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $57,400 | 8.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like to get plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's East Flat Rock, NC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in East Flat Rock?
The average cost of solar panels in East Flat Rock 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 stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key 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 take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will having 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 choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had 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.