Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clarksville, TN (2024 Update)
- Clarksville Solar Installation Cost: $19,976
- 25-Year Savings: $7,042
- Payback Period: 23.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clarksville
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Clarksville.
In Clarksville, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Clarksville, most homeowners require a 8.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $19,976, or $28,566 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $11,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Clarksville find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Clarksville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,381 |
| 3 years | $-15,189 |
| 5 years | $-11,997 |
| 7 years | $-8,805 |
| 9 years | $-5,614 |
| 11 years | $-2,422 |
| 13 years | $770 |
| 15 years | $3,961 |
| 17 years | $7,153 |
| 19 years | $10,345 |
| 21 years | $13,537 |
| 23 years | $16,728 |
| 25 years | $19,920 |
Top Solar Installers in Clarksville
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a difficult undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for you.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Clarksville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clarksville
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Clarksville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,580.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Clarksville homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Clarksville, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.72 | $15,637 | $121 | 24.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.65 | $20,449 | $563 | 24.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.58 | $25,060 | $1,204 | 23.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.51 | $29,471 | $2,047 | 23.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.44 | $33,681 | $3,090 | 22.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,690 | $4,333 | 22.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.29 | $41,499 | $5,777 | 21.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.22 | $45,108 | $7,421 | 21.5 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 picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have different brands and kinds of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, 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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Clarksville, TN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Clarksville?
The average cost of solar panels in Clarksville is about $17,900 for a 5-kW system and $35,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Clarksville?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Clarksville. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is it worth going solar in Clarksville?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 level 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.