Solar Panel Cost Guide in Belleair, FL (2024 Update)
- Belleair Solar Installation Cost: $11,854
- 25-Year Savings: $25,783
- Payback Period: 8.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Belleair
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Belleair.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Belleair it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Belleair, most homeowners require a 5.3-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,854, or $16,951 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Belleair see about $27,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Belleair
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,079 |
| 3 years | $-6,529 |
| 5 years | $-2,980 |
| 7 years | $570 |
| 9 years | $4,119 |
| 11 years | $7,669 |
| 13 years | $11,218 |
| 15 years | $14,768 |
| 17 years | $18,318 |
| 19 years | $21,867 |
| 21 years | $25,417 |
| 23 years | $28,966 |
| 25 years | $32,516 |
Top Solar Installers in Belleair
Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a challenging task, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Because solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
If you're looking for a solar company in Belleair, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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 Belleair
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Belleair
There are many factors that can play into your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Belleair, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of 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
Most solar companies in Belleair have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you choose will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower 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 | $3.34 | $14,021 | $25,929 | 8.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $34,932 | 8.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $44,114 | 8.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $53,476 | 8.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $63,018 | 8.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $72,740 | 7.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $82,641 | 7.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $92,722 | 7.6 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. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to get plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Belleair, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Belleair?
The average cost of solar panels in Belleair is about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Belleair?
Solar panels aren’t free in Belleair, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose 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 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 decreases 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.