Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Druid Hills, GA (2024 Update)
- North Druid Hills Solar Installation Cost: $17,721
- 25-Year Savings: $22,109
- Payback Period: 12.4 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in North Druid Hills
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in North Druid Hills.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in North Druid Hills it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in North Druid Hills, most homeowners require a 6.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,721, or $25,341 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in North Druid Hills based on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $20,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in North Druid Hills
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-16,128 |
3 years | $-12,942 |
5 years | $-9,755 |
7 years | $-6,569 |
9 years | $-3,382 |
11 years | $-196 |
13 years | $2,991 |
15 years | $6,177 |
17 years | $9,364 |
19 years | $12,550 |
21 years | $15,736 |
23 years | $18,923 |
25 years | $22,109 |
Top Solar Installers in North Druid Hills
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be hard. The expertise that solar installers provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in North Druid Hills, we've put together 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 North Druid Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Druid Hills
For many North Druid Hills homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in North Druid Hills, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have 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 $3,740.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in North Druid Hills have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in North Druid Hills is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car 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 | $3.89 | $16,336 | $15,272 | 12.9 years |
8 kW | $3.81 | $21,363 | $20,782 | 12.7 years |
10 kW | $3.74 | $26,180 | $26,501 | 12.4 years |
12 kW | $3.67 | $30,788 | $32,430 | 12.2 years |
14 kW | $3.59 | $35,186 | $38,568 | 11.9 years |
16 kW | $3.52 | $39,375 | $44,915 | 11.7 years |
18 kW | $3.44 | $43,354 | $51,472 | 11.4 years |
20 kW | $3.37 | $47,124 | $58,238 | 11.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company 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 the EcoWatch team.
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 North Druid Hills, GA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in North Druid Hills?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $18,700 for a 5-kW system and $37,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in North Druid Hills?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in North Druid Hills?
Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount 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.