Solar Panel Cost Guide in Stanley, NC (2023 Update)
- Stanley Solar Installation Cost: $12,108
- 25-Year Savings: $18,559
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Stanley
Here's how much it might cost to go solar in Stanley.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Stanley it's 2.54 per watt. Since a 6.8-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Stanley, the average price of going solar will be about $12,108 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Stanley depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. With average savings of about $17,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Stanley find investing in solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in Stanley for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Stanley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,881 |
| 3 years | $-8,428 |
| 5 years | $-5,975 |
| 7 years | $-3,521 |
| 9 years | $-1,068 |
| 11 years | $1,386 |
| 13 years | $3,839 |
| 15 years | $6,292 |
| 17 years | $8,746 |
| 19 years | $11,199 |
| 21 years | $13,653 |
| 23 years | $16,106 |
| 25 years | $18,559 |
Top Solar Installers in Stanley
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be challenging. Companies can also have access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for you.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
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
See all of the solar companies in Stanley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Stanley
There are several criteria that can influence your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Stanley, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,540 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Stanley, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Stanley, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price 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 choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is 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 | $15,919 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $21,509 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $27,242 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $33,117 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $39,135 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $45,294 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $51,596 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $58,040 | 8.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have different brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company'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 the company going out of business.
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
EcoWatch's Stanley, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Stanley?
The average cost of solar panels in Stanley 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Stanley?
You can't get solar panels for free in Stanley. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Does Stanley have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Stanley?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had 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.