Solar Panel Cost Guide in Douglass Hills, KY (2024 Update)
- Douglass Hills Solar Installation Cost: $24,524
- 25-Year Savings: $24,334
- Payback Period: 15.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Douglass Hills
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Douglass Hills.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Douglass Hills generally cost around 4.Because a 9.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Douglass Hills, the average price of going solar will be about $24,524 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 look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Douglass Hills homeowner can save around $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Douglass Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,055 |
| 3 years | $-20,118 |
| 5 years | $-17,181 |
| 7 years | $-14,243 |
| 9 years | $-11,306 |
| 11 years | $-8,369 |
| 13 years | $-5,431 |
| 15 years | $-2,494 |
| 17 years | $443 |
| 19 years | $3,380 |
| 21 years | $6,318 |
| 23 years | $9,255 |
| 25 years | $12,192 |
Top Solar Installers in Douglass Hills
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous undertaking, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another upside of working with a solar company is that they can help you maximize your return of investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Douglass Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Douglass Hills
The cost of installing a solar system in Douglass Hills can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,650. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Douglass Hills average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Douglass Hills to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Douglass Hills homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. 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 installer you choose to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Douglass Hills, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.80 | $15,943 | $9,096 | 15.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $12,537 | 15.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $16,182 | 15.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $20,032 | 15.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $24,086 | 14.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $28,345 | 14.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $32,807 | 14.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $37,475 | 13.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’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 the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before deciding.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Douglass Hills, KY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Douglass Hills?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Douglass Hills?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Douglass Hills?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 decide 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.