Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Rockingham, NC (Mar 2023)
- East Rockingham Solar Installation Cost: $12,144
- 25-Year Savings: $20,995
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Rockingham
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in East Rockingham.
In East Rockingham, solar panels cost about 2.54 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in East Rockingham is around 6.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,144 for a solar installation, or $17,366 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs may differ based on your energy needs and what company you go with. With average savings of about $18,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in East Rockingham find investing in solar can pay off big.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in East Rockingham
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,818 |
| 3 years | $-8,167 |
| 5 years | $-5,516 |
| 7 years | $-2,865 |
| 9 years | $-214 |
| 11 years | $2,437 |
| 13 years | $5,088 |
| 15 years | $7,739 |
| 17 years | $10,390 |
| 19 years | $13,042 |
| 21 years | $15,693 |
| 23 years | $18,344 |
| 25 years | $20,995 |
Top Solar Installers in East Rockingham
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to go with a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long term due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 East Rockingham
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Rockingham
Although the average cost of a solar system in East Rockingham is $12,144, your final cost may differ. There are several factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like East Rockingham, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in East Rockingham to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in East Rockingham is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you'll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $18,010 | 9.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $24,298 | 9.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $30,729 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $37,301 | 9.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $44,016 | 8.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $50,873 | 8.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $57,872 | 8.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $65,013 | 8.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in East Rockingham, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you're considering has it.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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 East Rockingham, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Rockingham?
The average cost of solar panels in East Rockingham is about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in East Rockingham?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't 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 home 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $970.17 per year.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.