Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fountain Inn, SC (2024 Update)

  • Fountain Inn Solar Installation Cost: $19,395
  • 25-Year Savings: $30,139
  • Payback Period: 10.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fountain Inn

Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Fountain Inn.

The average cost of solar panels in Fountain Inn is 3 per watt.Because a 8.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Fountain Inn, the average price of going solar will be about $19,395 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

How much you pay can go above or below the average in Fountain Inn based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With average savings of about $21,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Fountain Inn find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Fountain Inn

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-17,909
3 years$-14,939
5 years$-11,968
7 years$-8,998
9 years$-6,027
11 years$-3,057
13 years$-86
15 years$2,884
17 years$5,855
19 years$8,825
21 years$11,796
23 years$14,766
25 years$17,737

Top Solar Installers in Fountain Inn

Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a difficult task, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Solar warranties and repairs are usually included in the cost of installation when you hire a solar company too, which can save you more money after your initial investment.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Fountain Inn, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:

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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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 Fountain Inn

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fountain Inn

There are many factors that can influence your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Fountain Inn to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Fountain Inn homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Fountain Inn is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and better 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 discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.59$15,070$18,87211.1 years
8 kW$3.52$19,706$25,54910.9 years
10 kW$3.45$24,150$32,41910.7 years
12 kW$3.38$28,400$39,48210.5 years
14 kW$3.31$32,458$46,73910.2 years
16 kW$3.24$36,322$54,18810.0 years
18 kW$3.17$39,992$61,8319.8 years
20 kW$3.11$43,470$69,6679.6 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the durability of your solar panels, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • 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 good reviews from past customers.
  • 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 installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have various brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Fountain Inn, SC Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fountain Inn?

The average cost of solar panels in Fountain Inn is about $17,250 for a 5-kW system and $34,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Fountain Inn?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it often 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Fountain Inn?

Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future energy bills.

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the average daily 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 buy 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.