Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clarksville, IN (2024 Update)
- Clarksville Solar Installation Cost: $24,797
- 25-Year Savings: $8,343
- Payback Period: 15.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clarksville
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Clarksville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Clarksville it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Clarksville, most homeowners require a 8.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $24,797, or $35,460 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Clarksville based on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Clarksville can save about $18,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in Clarksville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Clarksville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,471 |
| 3 years | $-20,820 |
| 5 years | $-18,169 |
| 7 years | $-15,518 |
| 9 years | $-12,867 |
| 11 years | $-10,215 |
| 13 years | $-7,564 |
| 15 years | $-4,913 |
| 17 years | $-2,262 |
| 19 years | $390 |
| 21 years | $3,041 |
| 23 years | $5,692 |
| 25 years | $8,343 |
Top Solar Installers in Clarksville
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel installer since installing solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. Because solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Clarksville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clarksville
The cost of installing a solar system in Clarksville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest 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 some different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production 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 $4,100.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on 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’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Clarksville have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Clarksville homeowners, they can also increase 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
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Clarksville is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $4.26 | $17,909 | $9,866 | 16.1 years |
| 8 kW | $4.18 | $23,419 | $13,614 | 15.8 years |
| 10 kW | $4.10 | $28,700 | $17,591 | 15.5 years |
| 12 kW | $4.02 | $33,751 | $21,798 | 15.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.94 | $38,573 | $26,235 | 14.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.85 | $43,165 | $30,901 | 14.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.77 | $47,527 | $35,797 | 14.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.69 | $51,660 | $40,923 | 13.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of options before making your decision.
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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Clarksville, IN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Clarksville?
The average cost of solar panels in Clarksville is about $20,500 for a 5-kW system and $41,000 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Clarksville?
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 can’t take advantage of 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 savings from going solar.
Does Clarksville have a net metering program?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Clarksville?
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 opt to replace them once you've had 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.