Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hartselle, AL (2024 Update)
- Hartselle Solar Installation Cost: $22,735
- 25-Year Savings: $12,944
- Payback Period: 19.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hartselle
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Hartselle.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Hartselle it’s 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Hartselle, most homeowners require a 9.3-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $22,735, or $32,511 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Hartselle depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.Despite the large initial cost, the average Hartselle homeowner can save around $12,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Hartselle that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Hartselle
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-21,280 |
| 3 years | $-18,371 |
| 5 years | $-15,462 |
| 7 years | $-12,552 |
| 9 years | $-9,643 |
| 11 years | $-6,733 |
| 13 years | $-3,824 |
| 15 years | $-915 |
| 17 years | $1,995 |
| 19 years | $4,904 |
| 21 years | $7,814 |
| 23 years | $10,723 |
| 25 years | $13,632 |
Top Solar Installers in Hartselle
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another perk of working with a solar installer is that they can help you maximize your ROI by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Hartselle:
See all of the solar companies in Hartselle
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hartselle
The cost of installing a solar system in Hartselle can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Hartselle, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,490 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Hartselle, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.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 can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can affect the cost. Hartselle’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $3,391 | 20.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $4,912 | 20.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $6,629 | 19.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $8,541 | 19.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $10,649 | 18.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $12,952 | 18.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $15,450 | 18.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $18,144 | 17.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will impact not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask questions 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.
EcoWatch's Hartselle, AL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Hartselle?
The average cost of solar panels in Hartselle is about $17,450 for a 5-kW system and $34,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Hartselle?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Hartselle. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How long do solar panels last in Hartselle?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely 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 after having 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.