Solar Panel Cost Guide in Athens, OH (2024 Update)
- Athens Solar Installation Cost: $17,906
- 25-Year Savings: $30,741
- Payback Period: 10.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Athens
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Athens.
In Athens, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average Athens homeowner needs a 7.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,906 with the federal tax credit, or $25,606 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs will most likely differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To receive a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installer in Athens, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Athens
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,182 |
| 3 years | $-12,736 |
| 5 years | $-9,289 |
| 7 years | $-5,842 |
| 9 years | $-2,395 |
| 11 years | $1,052 |
| 13 years | $4,499 |
| 15 years | $7,945 |
| 17 years | $11,392 |
| 19 years | $14,839 |
| 21 years | $18,286 |
| 23 years | $21,733 |
| 25 years | $25,179 |
Top Solar Installers in Athens
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Also, companies with a high reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Athens, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Athens
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Athens
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Athens: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important 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 consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,410 per kilowatt in Athens.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Athens to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can impact how much you pay. Athens’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 | $3.55 | $14,895 | $20,445 | 10.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.48 | $19,478 | $27,642 | 10.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.41 | $23,870 | $35,030 | 10.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.34 | $28,071 | $42,609 | 9.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.27 | $32,081 | $50,379 | 9.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.21 | $35,900 | $58,340 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.14 | $39,529 | $66,492 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.07 | $42,966 | $74,835 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable 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 verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Athens, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Athens?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,050 for a 5-kW system and $34,100 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 consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Athens?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Athens?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having 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.