Solar Panel Cost Guide in Seneca, SC (2023 Update)
- Seneca Solar Installation Cost: $15,365
- 25-Year Savings: $29,043
- Payback Period: 8.6 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Seneca
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Seneca.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Seneca it's 2.72 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Seneca, most homeowners require a 8.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $15,365, or $21,972 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you will vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with. Despite the high initial cost, the average Seneca homeowner can save about $21,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Seneca
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,589 |
| 3 years | $-10,036 |
| 5 years | $-6,484 |
| 7 years | $-2,931 |
| 9 years | $622 |
| 11 years | $4,174 |
| 13 years | $7,727 |
| 15 years | $11,280 |
| 17 years | $14,832 |
| 19 years | $18,385 |
| 21 years | $21,938 |
| 23 years | $25,490 |
| 25 years | $29,043 |
Top Solar Installers in Seneca
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a difficult task, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and component replacements.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Seneca
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Seneca
The cost of installing a solar system in Seneca can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $2,720. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Seneca to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest. While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Seneca homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Seneca, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to more 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 size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.83 | $11,881 | $21,144 | 9.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.77 | $15,537 | $28,496 | 8.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.72 | $19,040 | $36,001 | 8.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.67 | $22,391 | $43,659 | 8.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.61 | $25,590 | $51,468 | 8.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.56 | $28,636 | $59,430 | 8.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.50 | $31,530 | $67,544 | 8.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.45 | $34,272 | $75,811 | 7.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Seneca, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like to install plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies provide 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 Seneca, SC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Seneca?
The average cost of solar panels in Seneca is about $13,600 for a 5-kW system and $27,200 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump 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 Seneca?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Seneca?
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.