Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garner, NC (2023 Update)
- Garner Solar Installation Cost: $12,428
- 25-Year Savings: $17,516
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garner
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Garner.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Garner, the average cost of solar panels is 2.54 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.0-kW system would cost about $12,428 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Garner based on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average Garner homeowners see about $16,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a top solar company in Garner, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Garner
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,230 |
| 3 years | $-8,835 |
| 5 years | $-6,439 |
| 7 years | $-4,044 |
| 9 years | $-1,648 |
| 11 years | $747 |
| 13 years | $3,143 |
| 15 years | $5,538 |
| 17 years | $7,934 |
| 19 years | $10,330 |
| 21 years | $12,725 |
| 23 years | $15,121 |
| 25 years | $17,516 |
Top Solar Installers in Garner
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Going with a solar company can make your switch to solar power much easier. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Garner, therefore optimizing your ROI.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't sure which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 Garner
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garner
For many Garner homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Garner, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,540 per kilowatt in Garner. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Garner, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Garner homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Garner, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $14,596 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $19,745 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $25,037 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $30,471 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $36,048 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $41,766 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $47,627 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $53,630 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose considerably influences your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Garner, NC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Garner?
The average cost of solar panels in Garner 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 things like the type 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 Garner?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Garner is currently $188,407, so you can look forward to a value of about $7,725 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Garner is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in Garner?
Though 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 replace them after having 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.