Solar Panel Cost Guide in Williamston, SC (Mar 2023)
- Williamston Solar Installation Cost: $15,289
- 25-Year Savings: $31,687
- Payback Period: 8.1 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Williamston
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Williamston.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Williamston typically cost about 2.72. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Williamston, most homeowners require a 8.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $15,289, or $21,863 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more. Despite the high initial cost, the average Williamston homeowner can save about $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar installation company in Williamston, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Williamston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,410 |
| 3 years | $-9,652 |
| 5 years | $-5,894 |
| 7 years | $-2,136 |
| 9 years | $1,622 |
| 11 years | $5,380 |
| 13 years | $9,139 |
| 15 years | $12,897 |
| 17 years | $16,655 |
| 19 years | $20,413 |
| 21 years | $24,171 |
| 23 years | $27,929 |
| 25 years | $31,687 |
Top Solar Installers in Williamston
When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since handling can be a difficult project. Plus, if you aren't sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Williamston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Williamston
The cost of installing a solar system in Williamston can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power generation 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 $2,720. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Williamston, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Williamston offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Williamston, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions 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 | $2.83 | $11,881 | $23,204 | 8.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.77 | $15,537 | $31,243 | 8.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.72 | $19,040 | $39,434 | 8.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.67 | $22,391 | $47,778 | 8.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.61 | $25,590 | $56,275 | 7.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.56 | $28,636 | $64,923 | 7.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.50 | $31,530 | $73,724 | 7.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.45 | $34,272 | $82,677 | 7.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will affect not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should consider, including:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Even though 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 make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure to read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're unsure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Williamston, SC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Williamston?
The average cost of solar panels in Williamston 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 certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Williamston?
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 don't have access to 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Williamston?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.