Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sebastian, FL (2024 Update)
- Sebastian Solar Installation Cost: $11,965
- 25-Year Savings: $19,728
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sebastian
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Sebastian.
In Sebastian, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Sebastian is around 5.3 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,965 for a solar installation, or $17,110 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average Sebastian homeowners see about $21,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sebastian
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,591 |
| 3 years | $-7,844 |
| 5 years | $-5,097 |
| 7 years | $-2,350 |
| 9 years | $398 |
| 11 years | $3,145 |
| 13 years | $5,892 |
| 15 years | $8,639 |
| 17 years | $11,387 |
| 19 years | $14,134 |
| 21 years | $16,881 |
| 23 years | $19,628 |
| 25 years | $22,376 |
Top Solar Installers in Sebastian
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over time.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Sebastian, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Sebastian
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sebastian
The cost of installing a solar system in Sebastian 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 the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,210.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 often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof 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 increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Sebastian, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Sebastian homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
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 | $18,834 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $25,472 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $32,289 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $39,286 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $46,463 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $53,820 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $61,356 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $69,072 | 9.2 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 picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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 Sebastian, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sebastian?
This is a hard 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 extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value 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% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in Sebastian?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.