Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sunset Beach, NC (Mar 2023)
- Sunset Beach Solar Installation Cost: $11,379
- 25-Year Savings: $22,010
- Payback Period: 8.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sunset Beach
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Sunset Beach.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Sunset Beach is 2.54 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Sunset Beach, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,379, or $16,272 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The actual price you pay can be above or below the average in Sunset Beach depending on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. Even with the large upfront cost, the average Sunset Beach homeowner can save around $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sunset Beach
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,044 |
| 3 years | $-7,373 |
| 5 years | $-4,701 |
| 7 years | $-2,030 |
| 9 years | $641 |
| 11 years | $3,312 |
| 13 years | $5,983 |
| 15 years | $8,654 |
| 17 years | $11,325 |
| 19 years | $13,996 |
| 21 years | $16,668 |
| 23 years | $19,339 |
| 25 years | $22,010 |
Top Solar Installers in Sunset Beach
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a time-consuming project. Local solar installers can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by providing warranties and repairs.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Sunset Beach:
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 Sunset Beach
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sunset Beach
For many Sunset Beach homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Sunset Beach, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,540 per kilowatt in Sunset Beach. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Sunset Beach homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of 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 above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Sunset Beach is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to 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 for different budgets. Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and find a company that offers 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 | $20,225 | 8.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $27,251 | 8.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $34,419 | 8.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $41,729 | 8.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $49,182 | 8.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $56,777 | 8.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $64,514 | 7.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $72,394 | 7.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Sunset Beach, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- 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: It's important to read your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
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 Sunset Beach, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Sunset Beach?
The average cost of solar panels in Sunset Beach 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 things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Sunset Beach?
You can't get solar panels for free in Sunset Beach. 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'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Sunset Beach?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production 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.