Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden City, SC (2025 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.
In Garden City, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.Since a 7.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Garden City, the average price of going solar will be about $18,525 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with.Despite the high upfront 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.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in Garden City for a personalized quote.
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 decide to use a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Another great thing about going with a top solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Garden City, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
See all of the solar companies in Garden City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden City
There are many factors that can play into your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The model of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than 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’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is difficult, solar loans are an affordable route because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can play a role in determining how much it costs. Garden City’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into your budget.
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 many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- 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 part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to get plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
EcoWatch's Garden City, SC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Garden City?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Garden City is currently $372,741, so you can expect a value of about $15,282 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Garden City is a fruitful investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically 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.