Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northlake, SC (2024 Update)
- Northlake Solar Installation Cost: $19,401
- 25-Year Savings: $31,326
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northlake
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Northlake.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Northlake generally cost around 3.The average Northlake homeowner needs a 8.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $19,401 with the federal tax credit, or $27,743 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you may vary based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Northlake can save around $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Northlake
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,916 |
| 3 years | $-14,945 |
| 5 years | $-11,975 |
| 7 years | $-9,004 |
| 9 years | $-6,034 |
| 11 years | $-3,063 |
| 13 years | $-93 |
| 15 years | $2,878 |
| 17 years | $5,848 |
| 19 years | $8,819 |
| 21 years | $11,790 |
| 23 years | $14,760 |
| 25 years | $17,731 |
Top Solar Installers in Northlake
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra effort and knowledge. That's why the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Another good thing about going with a reliable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Northlake, we've 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
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
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 Northlake
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northlake
The cost of installing a solar system in Northlake can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Northlake, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,450 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Northlake average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Northlake provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.It’s a good idea to add 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 how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to clean energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Northlake, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $19,750 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $26,720 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $33,883 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $41,239 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $48,788 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $56,531 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $64,467 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $72,596 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will influence not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should consider, including:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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
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 Northlake, SC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Northlake?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside 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 be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for 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."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.