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

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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 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

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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

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

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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

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.

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