Solar Panel Cost Guide in Port Charlotte, FL (2024 Update)
- Port Charlotte Solar Installation Cost: $11,931
- 25-Year Savings: $19,489
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Port Charlotte
We break down average solar pricing in Port Charlotte.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Port Charlotte, the typical cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Port Charlotte, most homeowners require a 5.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,931, or $17,061 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Port Charlotte
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,557 |
| 3 years | $-7,810 |
| 5 years | $-5,063 |
| 7 years | $-2,316 |
| 9 years | $432 |
| 11 years | $3,179 |
| 13 years | $5,926 |
| 15 years | $8,673 |
| 17 years | $11,420 |
| 19 years | $14,168 |
| 21 years | $16,915 |
| 23 years | $19,662 |
| 25 years | $22,409 |
Top Solar Installers in Port Charlotte
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be hard. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 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
See all of the solar companies in Port Charlotte
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Port Charlotte
Although the average cost of a solar system in Port Charlotte is $11,931, your actual cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s important 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 raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Port Charlotte, which can lower, or in some cases 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 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 remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Port Charlotte, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $18,627 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $25,196 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $31,944 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $38,872 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $45,980 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $53,268 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $60,735 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $68,382 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
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 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
EcoWatch's Port Charlotte, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Port Charlotte?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Port Charlotte, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.