Solar Panel Cost Guide in Indian Trail, NC (2024 Update)
- Indian Trail Solar Installation Cost: $16,657
- 25-Year Savings: $20,648
- Payback Period: 12.7 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Indian Trail
See how much it might cost to go solar in Indian Trail.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Indian Trail is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Indian Trail, most homeowners require a 6.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,657, or $23,820 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $18,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Indian Trail find going solar can pay off big.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in Indian Trail, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Indian Trail
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,335 |
| 3 years | $-12,691 |
| 5 years | $-10,047 |
| 7 years | $-7,403 |
| 9 years | $-4,758 |
| 11 years | $-2,114 |
| 13 years | $530 |
| 15 years | $3,174 |
| 17 years | $5,819 |
| 19 years | $8,463 |
| 21 years | $11,107 |
| 23 years | $13,751 |
| 25 years | $16,396 |
Top Solar Installers in Indian Trail
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with a solar company can make your switch to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you aren’t sure what type of solar equipment you need.
Working with a licensed solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Indian Trail
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Indian Trail
Though the average cost of a solar system in Indian Trail is $16,657, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Indian Trail, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Indian Trail provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Indian Trail homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you pick will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $3.65 | $15,332 | $13,610 | 13.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.58 | $20,049 | $18,540 | 13.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.51 | $24,570 | $23,666 | 12.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.44 | $28,894 | $28,989 | 12.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.37 | $33,022 | $34,509 | 12.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.30 | $36,953 | $40,225 | 12.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.23 | $40,688 | $46,138 | 11.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.16 | $44,226 | $52,247 | 11.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, be sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren’t sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you’d like to install plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
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
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Indian Trail, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Indian Trail?
The average cost of solar panels in Indian Trail is about $17,550 for a 5-kW system and $35,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Indian Trail?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 savings from going solar.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity bills?
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 $964.73 per year.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.