Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Andrews, SC (2024 Update)
- St. Andrews Solar Installation Cost: $19,102
- 25-Year Savings: $24,408
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Andrews
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in St. Andrews.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St. Andrews, the typical cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.Because a 7.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in St. Andrews, the average price of going solar will be about $19,102 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The exact cost of going solar can vary depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in St. Andrews see about $23,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in St. Andrews for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in St. Andrews
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,362 |
| 3 years | $-13,881 |
| 5 years | $-10,400 |
| 7 years | $-6,919 |
| 9 years | $-3,439 |
| 11 years | $42 |
| 13 years | $3,523 |
| 15 years | $7,004 |
| 17 years | $10,485 |
| 19 years | $13,965 |
| 21 years | $17,446 |
| 23 years | $20,927 |
| 25 years | $24,408 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Andrews
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Going with a solar company can make your switch to solar power much easier. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your home.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar system 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
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 St. Andrews
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Andrews
For many St. Andrews homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Andrews, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The 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 over time on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the St. Andrews average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in St. Andrews, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.While solar loans make going solar more accessible for St. Andrews homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in St. Andrews is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger 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 | $19,770 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $26,746 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $33,916 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $41,279 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $48,835 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $56,584 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $64,526 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $72,662 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a quality company.
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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 St. Andrews, SC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Andrews?
The average cost of solar panels in St. Andrews is about $17,250 for a 5-kW system and $34,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in St. Andrews?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in St. Andrews?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future utility bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though 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 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.