Solar Panel Cost Guide in Simpsonville, SC (2024 Update)
- Simpsonville Solar Installation Cost: $19,500
- 25-Year Savings: $30,129
- Payback Period: 10.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Simpsonville
We break down average solar pricing in Simpsonville.
In Simpsonville, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Simpsonville is around 8.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $19,500 for a solar installation, or $27,885 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large initial cost, the average Simpsonville homeowner can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Simpsonville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,015 |
| 3 years | $-15,044 |
| 5 years | $-12,074 |
| 7 years | $-9,103 |
| 9 years | $-6,133 |
| 11 years | $-3,162 |
| 13 years | $-192 |
| 15 years | $2,779 |
| 17 years | $5,749 |
| 19 years | $8,720 |
| 21 years | $11,691 |
| 23 years | $14,661 |
| 25 years | $17,632 |
Top Solar Installers in Simpsonville
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra effort and know-how. That's why most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your family.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Simpsonville:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Simpsonville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Simpsonville
For many Simpsonville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Simpsonville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly 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 consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,450 per kilowatt in Simpsonville.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Simpsonville, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to factor 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 choose will influence your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to more resources and bulk 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 | $3.59 | $15,070 | $18,742 | 11.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $25,376 | 10.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $32,203 | 10.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $39,223 | 10.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $46,437 | 10.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $53,843 | 10.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $61,443 | 9.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $69,236 | 9.6 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 selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which model 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 making your decision.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar 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.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Simpsonville, SC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Simpsonville?
The average cost of solar panels in Simpsonville 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 certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Simpsonville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,127.06 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much 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.