Solar Panel Cost Guide in Five Forks, SC (2025 Update)
- Five Forks Solar Installation Cost: $19,500
- 25-Year Savings: $17,632
- Payback Period: 10.8 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 Five Forks
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Five Forks.
In Five Forks, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Five Forks is around 8.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $19,500 for a solar installation, or $27,885 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on your energy needs and what company you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $21,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Five Forks
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-18,015 |
3 years | $-15,044 |
5 years | $-12,074 |
7 years | $-9,103 |
9 years | $-6,133 |
11 years | $-3,162 |
13 years | $-192 |
15 years | $2,779 |
17 years | $5,749 |
19 years | $8,720 |
21 years | $11,691 |
23 years | $14,661 |
25 years | $17,632 |
Top Solar Installers in Five Forks
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Plus, if you’re not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Five Forks, the EcoWatch team has compiled 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
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 Five Forks
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Five Forks
There are many factors that can influence your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,450 per kilowatt in Five Forks.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Five Forks, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Five Forks homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar system can influence the cost. Five Forks’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of 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 promotion can bring their pricing down 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 | $3.59 | $15,070 | $18,517 | 11.2 years |
8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $25,076 | 11.0 years |
10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $31,828 | 10.8 years |
12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $38,773 | 10.6 years |
14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $45,911 | 10.4 years |
16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $53,243 | 10.1 years |
18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $60,768 | 9.9 years |
20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $68,486 | 9.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Five Forks, SC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Five Forks?
The average cost of solar panels in Five Forks is about $17,250 for a 5-kW system and $34,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Five Forks?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.