Solar Panel Cost Guide in Morehead City, NC (2025 Update)

  • Morehead City Solar Installation Cost: $15,422
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,398
  • Payback Period: 12.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

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 Morehead City

We go over average solar pricing in Morehead City.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Morehead City it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 6.3-kW system would cost about $15,422 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Morehead City homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the high upfront cost, the average Morehead City homeowner can save around $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Morehead City

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-13,951
3 years$-11,009
5 years$-8,067
7 years$-5,125
9 years$-2,182
11 years$760
13 years$3,702
15 years$6,644
17 years$9,586
19 years$12,529
21 years$15,471
23 years$18,413
25 years$21,355

Top Solar Installers in Morehead City

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. Another advantage of working with a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.

If you're looking for a solar installer in Morehead City, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:

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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

See all of the solar companies in Morehead City

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Morehead City

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Morehead City: 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 influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space 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. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a popular option because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Morehead City is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.65$15,332$14,83512.7 years
8 kW$3.58$20,049$20,17312.5 years
10 kW$3.51$24,570$25,70712.2 years
12 kW$3.44$28,894$31,43812.0 years
14 kW$3.37$33,022$37,36611.7 years
16 kW$3.30$36,953$43,49011.5 years
18 kW$3.23$40,688$49,81111.2 years
20 kW$3.16$44,226$56,32811.0 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system 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 challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
  • Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar panel system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

EcoWatch's Morehead City, NC Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Morehead City?

The average cost of solar panels in Morehead City 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.

Can you get solar panels for free in Morehead City?

Solar panels aren’t free in Morehead City, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.

How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located 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 $1,005.54 per year.

How long do solar panels last in Morehead City?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.

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.