Solar Panel Cost Guide in Granite Falls, NC (2024 Update)
- Granite Falls Solar Installation Cost: $17,180
- 25-Year Savings: $20,483
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Granite Falls
We go over average solar pricing in Granite Falls.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Granite Falls, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.The average Granite Falls homeowner needs a 7.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,180 with the federal tax credit, or $24,567 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Granite Falls can save about $18,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
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 Granite Falls
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,858 |
| 3 years | $-13,214 |
| 5 years | $-10,570 |
| 7 years | $-7,925 |
| 9 years | $-5,281 |
| 11 years | $-2,637 |
| 13 years | $7 |
| 15 years | $2,652 |
| 17 years | $5,296 |
| 19 years | $7,940 |
| 21 years | $10,584 |
| 23 years | $13,229 |
| 25 years | $15,873 |
Top Solar Installers in Granite Falls
When going solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. Because solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Granite Falls
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Granite Falls
There are several 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
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Granite Falls, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,510 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about 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
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid choice because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Granite Falls homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Granite Falls is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $12,912 | 13.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.58 | $20,049 | $17,609 | 13.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.51 | $24,570 | $22,503 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.44 | $28,894 | $27,593 | 12.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.37 | $33,022 | $32,879 | 12.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.30 | $36,953 | $38,363 | 12.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.23 | $40,688 | $44,043 | 12.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.16 | $44,226 | $49,919 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it’s crucial to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the project timeline.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Granite Falls, NC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Granite Falls?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Granite Falls?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Granite Falls?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.