Solar Panel Cost Guide in Welcome, SC (2023 Update)

  • Welcome Solar Installation Cost: $15,365
  • 25-Year Savings: $30,247
  • Payback Period: 8.4 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Welcome

Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Welcome.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Welcome it's 2.72 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Welcome, most homeowners require a 8.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $15,365, or $21,972 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.

These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with. Even with the significant upfront cost, the average Welcome homeowner can save around $21,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.

To get a free quote from a vetted solar installer in Welcome, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Welcome

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,541
3 years $-9,892
5 years $-6,243
7 years $-2,594
9 years $1,055
11 years $4,704
13 years $8,353
15 years $12,002
17 years $15,651
19 years $19,300
21 years $22,949
23 years $26,598
25 years $30,247

Top Solar Installers in Welcome

Putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Welcome, therefore optimizing your ROI.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Welcome

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Welcome

For many Welcome homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Welcome, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Welcome, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,720 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Welcome, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Welcome homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to green energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Welcome, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of greater resources and better 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 lower 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 $2.83 $11,881 $22,012 8.8 years
8 kW $2.77 $15,537 $29,654 8.6 years
10 kW $2.72 $19,040 $37,448 8.4 years
12 kW $2.67 $22,391 $45,395 8.3 years
14 kW $2.61 $25,590 $53,493 8.1 years
16 kW $2.56 $28,636 $61,745 7.9 years
18 kW $2.50 $31,530 $70,148 7.8 years
20 kW $2.45 $34,272 $78,704 7.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of 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 previous customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
  • 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 you can expect about the cost.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Welcome, SC Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Welcome?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,600 for a 5-kW system and $27,200 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Welcome?

A solar panel system isn't free in Welcome, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.

Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Welcome, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.

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