Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sumter, SC (2023 Update)
- Sumter Solar Installation Cost: $15,080
- 25-Year Savings: $25,698
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sumter
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Sumter.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Sumter it's 2.72 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Sumter, most homeowners require a 7.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $15,080, or $21,564 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% 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 system you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Sumter can save about $20,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in Sumter for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Sumter
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,449 |
| 3 years | $-10,186 |
| 5 years | $-6,924 |
| 7 years | $-3,662 |
| 9 years | $-400 |
| 11 years | $2,862 |
| 13 years | $6,124 |
| 15 years | $9,387 |
| 17 years | $12,649 |
| 19 years | $15,911 |
| 21 years | $19,173 |
| 23 years | $22,435 |
| 25 years | $25,698 |
Top Solar Installers in Sumter
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels on your own can be challenging. The expertise that solar installers offer can be valuable as well, particularly if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment you need.
If you'd like to make the switch to solar but still aren't certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Sumter:
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 Sumter
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sumter
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Sumter is $15,080, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,720. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Sumter, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Sumter homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. 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
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Sumter is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to 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 major players.
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 | $19,024 | 9.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.77 | $15,537 | $25,670 | 9.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.72 | $19,040 | $32,468 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.67 | $22,391 | $39,418 | 9.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.61 | $25,590 | $46,521 | 8.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.56 | $28,636 | $53,776 | 8.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.50 | $31,530 | $61,184 | 8.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.45 | $34,272 | $68,744 | 8.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: If you're worried about the durability of your solar system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
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 Sumter, SC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sumter?
The average cost of solar panels in Sumter is about $13,600 for a 5-kW system and $27,200 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Sumter is currently $116,187, so you can look forward to a value of about $4,764 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Sumter is a worthwhile investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.