Solar Panel Cost Guide in Stokesdale, NC (2024 Update)
- Stokesdale Solar Installation Cost: $17,128
- 25-Year Savings: $18,273
- Payback Period: 14.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Stokesdale
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Stokesdale.
The average cost of solar panels in Stokesdale is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 7.0-kW system would cost about $17,128 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Stokesdale homeowners. The cost 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.With typical savings of about $17,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Stokesdale find going solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Stokesdale that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Stokesdale
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,806 |
| 3 years | $-13,162 |
| 5 years | $-10,518 |
| 7 years | $-7,873 |
| 9 years | $-5,229 |
| 11 years | $-2,585 |
| 13 years | $59 |
| 15 years | $2,704 |
| 17 years | $5,348 |
| 19 years | $7,992 |
| 21 years | $10,636 |
| 23 years | $13,281 |
| 25 years | $15,925 |
Top Solar Installers in Stokesdale
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since installing solar panels by yourself can be hard. Because solar panels are exposed to temperature swings and extreme weather, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Stokesdale
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Stokesdale
The cost of installing a solar system in Stokesdale can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,510. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Stokesdale offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Stokesdale is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower 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 | $11,063 | 14.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.58 | $20,049 | $15,144 | 14.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.51 | $24,570 | $19,421 | 14.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.44 | $28,894 | $23,895 | 13.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.37 | $33,022 | $28,566 | 13.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.30 | $36,953 | $33,433 | 13.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.23 | $40,688 | $38,497 | 12.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.16 | $44,226 | $43,757 | 12.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Stokesdale, NC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Stokesdale?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,550 for a 5-kW system and $35,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Stokesdale?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
How will installing solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go 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?
Although 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.