Solar Panel Cost Guide in Athens, TX (2025 Update)

  • Athens Solar Installation Cost: $17,962
  • 25-Year Savings: $26,279
  • Payback Period: 11.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

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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 Athens

We break down average solar pricing in Athens.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Athens typically cost about 3.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Athens, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,962, or $25,686 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Athens homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on power bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a personalized quote.

Solar savings over time in Athens

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-16,487
3 years$-13,537
5 years$-10,587
7 years$-7,637
9 years$-4,687
11 years$-1,737
13 years$1,213
15 years$4,163
17 years$7,113
19 years$10,063
21 years$13,013
23 years$15,963
25 years$18,913

Top Solar Installers in Athens

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. A solar company can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and component replacements.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Athens:

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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

See all of the solar companies in Athens

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Athens

Though the average cost of a solar system in Athens is $17,962, your actual cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Athens, 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 $3,330 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Athens, 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 more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Athens to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installation company you pick will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Additionally, some companies in Athens are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.46$14,545$17,21511.4 years
8 kW$3.40$19,021$23,32611.2 years
10 kW$3.33$23,310$29,62311.0 years
12 kW$3.26$27,413$36,10710.8 years
14 kW$3.20$31,329$42,77810.6 years
16 kW$3.13$35,058$49,63510.3 years
18 kW$3.06$38,601$56,67910.1 years
20 kW$3.00$41,958$63,9099.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose significantly impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Athens, TX Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $16,650 for a 5-kW system and $33,300 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 above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Athens?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Athens?

Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.