Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rainsville, AL (2024 Update)
- Rainsville Solar Installation Cost: $22,865
- 25-Year Savings: $9,197
- Payback Period: 22.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rainsville
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Rainsville.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Rainsville is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Rainsville, most homeowners require a 9.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $22,865, or $32,697 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Rainsville homeowner. The price 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.With typical savings of about $11,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Rainsville find installing solar panels can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Rainsville that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Rainsville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-21,330 |
| 3 years | $-18,258 |
| 5 years | $-15,187 |
| 7 years | $-12,115 |
| 9 years | $-9,044 |
| 11 years | $-5,973 |
| 13 years | $-2,901 |
| 15 years | $170 |
| 17 years | $3,241 |
| 19 years | $6,313 |
| 21 years | $9,384 |
| 23 years | $12,456 |
| 25 years | $15,527 |
Top Solar Installers in Rainsville
Installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and component replacements.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 Rainsville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rainsville
The cost of installing a solar system in Rainsville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,490. The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Rainsville average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Rainsville, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Rainsville, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $942 | 23.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.56 | $19,935 | $1,646 | 23.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.49 | $24,430 | $2,547 | 22.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.42 | $28,730 | $3,642 | 22.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.35 | $32,834 | $4,933 | 21.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.28 | $36,743 | $6,420 | 21.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.21 | $40,456 | $8,102 | 20.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.14 | $43,974 | $9,979 | 20.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
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 Rainsville, AL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rainsville?
The average cost of solar panels in Rainsville 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 stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Rainsville?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it often 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.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though 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 their energy production 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.