Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brookdale, SC (2024 Update)
- Brookdale Solar Installation Cost: $18,880
- 25-Year Savings: $33,290
- Payback Period: 9.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brookdale
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Brookdale.
In Brookdale, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Brookdale, most homeowners require a 7.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $18,880, or $26,998 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.With average savings of about $25,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Brookdale find installing solar panels can pay off big.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Brookdale
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,139 |
| 3 years | $-13,659 |
| 5 years | $-10,178 |
| 7 years | $-6,697 |
| 9 years | $-3,216 |
| 11 years | $265 |
| 13 years | $3,745 |
| 15 years | $7,226 |
| 17 years | $10,707 |
| 19 years | $14,188 |
| 21 years | $17,669 |
| 23 years | $21,149 |
| 25 years | $24,630 |
Top Solar Installers in Brookdale
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra time and know-how. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Solar warranties and repairs are ordinarily included in the cost of installation when you sign a contract with a solar company as well, which can save you more money over time.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Brookdale, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Brookdale
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brookdale
The cost of installing a solar system in Brookdale can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,450 per kilowatt in Brookdale.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 increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Brookdale homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Brookdale, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.59 | $15,070 | $21,903 | 10.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $29,591 | 10.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $37,472 | 9.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $45,546 | 9.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $53,813 | 9.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $62,273 | 9.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $70,927 | 9.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $79,773 | 8.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Brookdale, 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:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panels, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Brookdale, SC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Brookdale?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,250 for a 5-kW system and $34,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Brookdale?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Brookdale?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future energy bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.