Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carrollwood, FL (2024 Update)

  • Carrollwood Solar Installation Cost: $12,394
  • 25-Year Savings: $16,463
  • Payback Period: 11.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Carrollwood

Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Carrollwood.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Carrollwood, the average cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.The average Carrollwood homeowner needs a 5.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,394 with the federal tax credit, or $17,723 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will most likely differ based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Carrollwood homeowner can save about $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Carrollwood

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-11,069
3 years$-8,418
5 years$-5,767
7 years$-3,116
9 years$-466
11 years$2,185
13 years$4,836
15 years$7,486
17 years$10,137
19 years$12,788
21 years$15,439
23 years$18,089
25 years$20,740

Top Solar Installers in Carrollwood

DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Using a solar company can make your switch to solar power much easier. A solar company can also help save you money over time by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:

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 Carrollwood

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carrollwood

There are several criteria that can determine your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,210 per kilowatt in Carrollwood.The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in Carrollwood offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installation company you choose will affect your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.34$14,021$14,51312.3 years
8 kW$3.27$18,336$19,71012.0 years
10 kW$3.21$22,470$25,08711.8 years
12 kW$3.15$26,425$30,64311.6 years
14 kW$3.08$30,200$36,38011.3 years
16 kW$3.02$33,795$42,29611.1 years
18 kW$2.95$37,210$48,39210.9 years
20 kW$2.89$40,446$54,66710.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
  • Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar panel system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.

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 Carrollwood, FL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Carrollwood?

The average cost of solar panels in Carrollwood 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 things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Carrollwood?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.

How will having solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably 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% after installing a solar system."

How long do solar panels last in Carrollwood?

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 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.