Solar Panel Cost Guide in Riverdale, GA (2024 Update)
- Riverdale Solar Installation Cost: $17,591
- 25-Year Savings: $23,667
- Payback Period: 12.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Riverdale
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Riverdale.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Riverdale it’s 4 per watt.Because a 6.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Riverdale, the average price of going solar will be about $17,591 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $20,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Riverdale find going solar can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Riverdale for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Riverdale
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,998 |
| 3 years | $-12,811 |
| 5 years | $-9,625 |
| 7 years | $-6,439 |
| 9 years | $-3,252 |
| 11 years | $-66 |
| 13 years | $3,121 |
| 15 years | $6,307 |
| 17 years | $9,494 |
| 19 years | $12,680 |
| 21 years | $15,867 |
| 23 years | $19,053 |
| 25 years | $22,240 |
Top Solar Installers in Riverdale
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Solar companies offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Riverdale:
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 Riverdale
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Riverdale
There are several factors that can play into your solar system 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
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power production use 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.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a popular choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, 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 above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Riverdale, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $3.89 | $16,336 | $15,506 | 12.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.81 | $21,363 | $21,094 | 12.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.74 | $26,180 | $26,891 | 12.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.67 | $30,788 | $32,898 | 12.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.59 | $35,186 | $39,114 | 11.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.52 | $39,375 | $45,539 | 11.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.44 | $43,354 | $52,174 | 11.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.37 | $47,124 | $59,019 | 11.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- 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.
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 Riverdale, GA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Riverdale?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, 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. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Riverdale?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Riverdale. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my power bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Riverdale, 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?
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 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.