Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fayetteville, NC (2024 Update)
- Fayetteville Solar Installation Cost: $16,952
- 25-Year Savings: $20,312
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fayetteville
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Fayetteville.
In Fayetteville, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 6.9-kW system would cost about $16,952 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Fayetteville homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $18,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Fayetteville find going solar has a decent ROI.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Fayetteville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,474 |
| 3 years | $-12,517 |
| 5 years | $-9,561 |
| 7 years | $-6,604 |
| 9 years | $-3,648 |
| 11 years | $-691 |
| 13 years | $2,265 |
| 15 years | $5,222 |
| 17 years | $8,178 |
| 19 years | $11,135 |
| 21 years | $14,091 |
| 23 years | $17,048 |
| 25 years | $20,004 |
Top Solar Installers in Fayetteville
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra energy and handiness. For that reason, most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Companies can also have access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for your home.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Fayetteville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fayetteville
There are a number of criteria that can play into your solar system 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
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,510 per kilowatt in Fayetteville.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Fayetteville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Fayetteville to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Fayetteville, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Fayetteville are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $13,000 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.58 | $20,049 | $17,727 | 13.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.51 | $24,570 | $22,650 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.44 | $28,894 | $27,770 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.37 | $33,022 | $33,086 | 12.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.30 | $36,953 | $38,599 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.23 | $40,688 | $44,308 | 12.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.16 | $44,226 | $50,214 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you’d like to install plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the overall cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- 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 most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Fayetteville, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fayetteville?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,550 for a 5-kW system and $35,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Fayetteville?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.