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.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in St. Andrews it’s 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in St. Andrews, most homeowners require a 7.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $19,102, or $27,316 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in St. Andrews depending on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in St. Andrews can save around $23,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area 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
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels by yourself can be hard. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 St. Andrews
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Andrews
There are several criteria 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
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in St. Andrews, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge 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 bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the St. Andrews average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in St. Andrews to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for St. Andrews homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of sustainable energy solutions in St. Andrews, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 | $19,770 | 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
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer in regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, make sure to read it through fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 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 things like the type 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 option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 financial benefits from going solar.
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 let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity 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 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 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.