Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rural Hall, NC (Mar 2023)
- Rural Hall Solar Installation Cost: $12,393
- 25-Year Savings: $21,434
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rural Hall
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Rural Hall.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Rural Hall is 2.54 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.0-kW system would cost about $12,393 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Rural Hall homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Even with the large upfront cost, the average Rural Hall homeowner can save about $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Rural Hall
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,040 |
| 3 years | $-8,333 |
| 5 years | $-5,627 |
| 7 years | $-2,921 |
| 9 years | $-215 |
| 11 years | $2,491 |
| 13 years | $5,197 |
| 15 years | $7,903 |
| 17 years | $10,609 |
| 19 years | $13,315 |
| 21 years | $16,022 |
| 23 years | $18,728 |
| 25 years | $21,434 |
Top Solar Installers in Rural Hall
Installing solar panels on your own can be a dangerous undertaking, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Also, companies with a high reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long term due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you're looking for a solar company in Rural Hall, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Rural Hall
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rural Hall
The cost of installing a solar system in Rural Hall can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, 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. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Rural Hall average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a solid option because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it's important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you hire to handle your switch to green energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Rural Hall, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into 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 | $18,004 | 9.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $24,290 | 9.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $30,718 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $37,288 | 9.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $44,001 | 8.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $50,856 | 8.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $57,853 | 8.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $64,992 | 8.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business 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 quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Rural Hall, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Rural Hall?
The average cost of solar panels in Rural Hall is about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Rural Hall?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.