Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden City, SC (2023 Update)
- Garden City Solar Installation Cost: $14,604
- 25-Year Savings: $31,497
- Payback Period: 7.9 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garden City
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Garden City.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Garden City is 2.72 per watt. The average Garden City homeowner needs a 7.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $14,604 with the federal tax credit, or $20,884 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Garden City depending on a variety of factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Garden City can save around $23,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar company in Garden City, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Garden City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,760 |
| 3 years | $-9,072 |
| 5 years | $-5,384 |
| 7 years | $-1,696 |
| 9 years | $1,992 |
| 11 years | $5,680 |
| 13 years | $9,368 |
| 15 years | $13,056 |
| 17 years | $16,744 |
| 19 years | $20,433 |
| 21 years | $24,121 |
| 23 years | $27,809 |
| 25 years | $31,497 |
Top Solar Installers in Garden City
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be challenging. A solar company can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and part replacements.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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
For many Garden City homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Garden City, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,720 per kilowatt in Garden City. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Garden City, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of 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
Most solar companies in Garden City provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panels can impact your pricing. Garden City's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.83 | $11,881 | $24,178 | 8.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.77 | $15,537 | $32,542 | 8.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.72 | $19,040 | $41,058 | 7.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.67 | $22,391 | $49,727 | 7.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.61 | $25,590 | $58,548 | 7.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.56 | $28,636 | $67,521 | 7.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.50 | $31,530 | $76,647 | 7.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.45 | $34,272 | $85,925 | 7.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it's essential to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you'd like to get plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
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?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,600 for a 5-kW system and $27,200 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important 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 be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Garden City?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can 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 account for 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.