Solar Panel Cost Guide in Williamston, NC (2024 Update)
- Williamston Solar Installation Cost: $17,222
- 25-Year Savings: $23,103
- Payback Period: 12.1 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Williamston
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Williamston.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Williamston it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Williamston is around 7.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,222 for a solar installation, or $24,627 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Williamston depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Williamston can save around $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Williamston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,751 |
| 3 years | $-12,809 |
| 5 years | $-9,867 |
| 7 years | $-6,925 |
| 9 years | $-3,982 |
| 11 years | $-1,040 |
| 13 years | $1,902 |
| 15 years | $4,844 |
| 17 years | $7,786 |
| 19 years | $10,729 |
| 21 years | $13,671 |
| 23 years | $16,613 |
| 25 years | $19,555 |
Top Solar Installers in Williamston
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be valuable as well, especially if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Williamston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Williamston
There are a number of factors that can influence your solar system 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 system in Williamston, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,510 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 more savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Williamston to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront 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 Williamston is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $15,112 | 12.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.58 | $20,049 | $20,543 | 12.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.51 | $24,570 | $26,170 | 12.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.44 | $28,894 | $31,994 | 11.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.37 | $33,022 | $38,014 | 11.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.30 | $36,953 | $44,231 | 11.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.23 | $40,688 | $50,644 | 11.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.16 | $44,226 | $57,254 | 10.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Williamston, NC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Williamston?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Does Williamston have a net metering program?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system produces 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?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of 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.