Solar Panel Cost Guide in Elba, AL (2024 Update)
- Elba Solar Installation Cost: $21,263
- 25-Year Savings: $37,404
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Elba
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Elba.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Elba, the typical cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 8.7-kW system would cost about $21,263 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on your specific situation and what company you want to go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Elba can save about $23,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Elba
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,416 |
| 3 years | $-15,721 |
| 5 years | $-12,026 |
| 7 years | $-8,330 |
| 9 years | $-4,635 |
| 11 years | $-940 |
| 13 years | $2,755 |
| 15 years | $6,450 |
| 17 years | $10,145 |
| 19 years | $13,840 |
| 21 years | $17,536 |
| 23 years | $21,231 |
| 25 years | $24,926 |
Top Solar Installers in Elba
Putting up solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming task, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Elba:
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 Elba
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Elba
The cost of installing a solar system in Elba can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Elba to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in Elba, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, 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 | $3.63 | $15,244 | $20,830 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $28,164 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $35,694 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $43,419 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $51,340 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $59,456 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $67,767 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $76,274 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Elba, AL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Elba?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Elba?
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 savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Elba?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.