Solar Panel Cost Guide in York, SC (Mar 2023)
- York Solar Installation Cost: $15,422
- 25-Year Savings: $23,918
- Payback Period: 9.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in York
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in York.
The average cost of solar panels in York is 2.72 per watt. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in York, most homeowners require a 8.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $15,422, or $22,053 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of York homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in York
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,849 |
| 3 years | $-10,702 |
| 5 years | $-7,554 |
| 7 years | $-4,407 |
| 9 years | $-1,260 |
| 11 years | $1,887 |
| 13 years | $5,035 |
| 15 years | $8,182 |
| 17 years | $11,329 |
| 19 years | $14,476 |
| 21 years | $17,623 |
| 23 years | $20,771 |
| 25 years | $23,918 |
Top Solar Installers in York
Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a dangerous task, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, especially if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. 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 York
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in York
For many York 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 York, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in York, one of the most crucial 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 determine by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,720 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many York homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's crucial to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can affect your pricing. York's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is within your budget.
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 | $17,247 | 10.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.77 | $15,537 | $23,301 | 10.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.72 | $19,040 | $29,507 | 9.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.67 | $22,391 | $35,865 | 9.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.61 | $25,590 | $42,376 | 9.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.56 | $28,636 | $49,039 | 9.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.50 | $31,530 | $55,854 | 9.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.45 | $34,272 | $62,822 | 8.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you'd like plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies offer different panels.
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 York, SC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in York?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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 extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in York?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.