Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mint Hill, NC (Mar 2023)

  • Mint Hill Solar Installation Cost: $12,090
  • 25-Year Savings: $19,981
  • Payback Period: 9.4 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mint Hill

Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Mint Hill.

In Mint Hill, solar panels cost about 2.54 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Mint Hill, most homeowners require a 6.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,090, or $17,289 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average Mint Hill homeowners see about $18,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Mint Hill, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Mint Hill

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,808
3 years $-8,242
5 years $-5,676
7 years $-3,110
9 years $-545
11 years $2,021
13 years $4,587
15 years $7,152
17 years $9,718
19 years $12,284
21 years $14,849
23 years $17,415
25 years $19,981

Top Solar Installers in Mint Hill

DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Using an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Another perk of utilizing a solar company is that they can help you make the most of your ROI by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.

If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Mint Hill, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Mint Hill

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mint Hill

The cost of installing a solar system in Mint Hill can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,540 per kilowatt in Mint Hill. The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Mint Hill average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Mint Hill to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Mint Hill 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 put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you pick will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and find a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.

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 $17,195 9.8 years
8 kW $2.59 $14,508 $23,212 9.6 years
10 kW $2.54 $17,780 $29,370 9.4 years
12 kW $2.49 $20,909 $35,671 9.2 years
14 kW $2.44 $23,896 $42,114 9.1 years
16 kW $2.39 $26,741 $48,699 8.9 years
18 kW $2.34 $29,444 $55,426 8.7 years
20 kW $2.29 $32,004 $62,296 8.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly affects your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you go with.
  • 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: When reading over 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.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Mint Hill, NC Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mint Hill?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra 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 choose 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 it worth going solar in Mint Hill?

Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.

How long do solar panels last in Mint Hill?

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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.

Follow us