Solar Panel Cost Guide in Walterboro, SC (2024 Update)
- Walterboro Solar Installation Cost: $18,467
- 25-Year Savings: $35,241
- Payback Period: 9.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Walterboro
See how much it might cost to go solar in Walterboro.
In Walterboro, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Walterboro, most homeowners require a 7.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $18,467, or $26,408 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Walterboro based on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With average savings of about $26,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Walterboro find going solar has a decent ROI.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Walterboro
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,726 |
| 3 years | $-13,245 |
| 5 years | $-9,765 |
| 7 years | $-6,284 |
| 9 years | $-2,803 |
| 11 years | $678 |
| 13 years | $4,159 |
| 15 years | $7,640 |
| 17 years | $11,120 |
| 19 years | $14,601 |
| 21 years | $18,082 |
| 23 years | $21,563 |
| 25 years | $25,044 |
Top Solar Installers in Walterboro
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. The payback period of solar panels will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy use, but working with a solar installer can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.
Working with a professional solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Walterboro
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Walterboro
The cost of installing a solar system in Walterboro can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,450.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Walterboro average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Walterboro have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s vital to consider that as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Walterboro is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger 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 | $3.59 | $15,070 | $24,007 | 9.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $32,395 | 9.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $40,977 | 9.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $49,752 | 9.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $58,720 | 8.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $67,882 | 8.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $77,236 | 8.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $86,784 | 8.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Walterboro, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- 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 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 Walterboro, SC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Walterboro?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,250 for a 5-kW system and $34,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Walterboro?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to 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 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Walterboro?
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 their energy production 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.