Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden City, SC (2024 Update)
- Garden City Solar Installation Cost: $18,525
- 25-Year Savings: $31,495
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garden City
We break down average solar pricing in Garden City.
The average cost of solar panels in Garden City is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Garden City, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $18,525, or $26,491 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Despite the large initial cost, the average Garden City homeowner can save around $23,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Garden City that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Garden City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,743 |
| 3 years | $-13,179 |
| 5 years | $-9,615 |
| 7 years | $-6,051 |
| 9 years | $-2,487 |
| 11 years | $1,077 |
| 13 years | $4,641 |
| 15 years | $8,205 |
| 17 years | $11,769 |
| 19 years | $15,333 |
| 21 years | $18,897 |
| 23 years | $22,461 |
| 25 years | $26,025 |
Top Solar Installers in Garden City
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be hard. Another good thing about choosing a reputable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Garden City:
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
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Garden City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden City
The cost of installing a solar system in Garden City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,450.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Garden City, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Garden City homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Garden City, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials 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 | $20,989 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $28,372 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $35,948 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $43,718 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $51,680 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $59,836 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $68,185 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $76,727 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Garden City, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the durability of your solar system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though 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 peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
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
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Garden City, SC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Garden City?
The average cost of solar panels in Garden City 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 things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly 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 a solar system."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.