Solar Panel Cost Guide in Kinston, NC (2024 Update)
- Kinston Solar Installation Cost: $17,131
- 25-Year Savings: $22,151
- Payback Period: 12.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Kinston
We break down average solar pricing in Kinston.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Kinston, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Kinston, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,131, or $24,497 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $19,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Kinston find going solar can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Kinston that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Kinston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,559 |
| 3 years | $-12,417 |
| 5 years | $-9,274 |
| 7 years | $-6,132 |
| 9 years | $-2,989 |
| 11 years | $153 |
| 13 years | $3,296 |
| 15 years | $6,438 |
| 17 years | $9,581 |
| 19 years | $12,724 |
| 21 years | $15,866 |
| 23 years | $19,009 |
| 25 years | $22,151 |
Top Solar Installers in Kinston
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Going with a solar panel installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Local solar companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
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 in Kinston:
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 Kinston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Kinston
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Kinston: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
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 important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Kinston provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Kinston is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger 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 | $14,166 | 13.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.58 | $20,049 | $19,281 | 12.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.51 | $24,570 | $24,593 | 12.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.44 | $28,894 | $30,101 | 12.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.37 | $33,022 | $35,806 | 12.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.30 | $36,953 | $41,708 | 11.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.23 | $40,688 | $47,806 | 11.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.16 | $44,226 | $54,100 | 11.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
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 Kinston, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Kinston?
The average cost of solar panels in Kinston is about $17,550 for a 5-kW system and $35,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the kind 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 Kinston?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it typically 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though 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 decide to 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.