Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Wilkesboro, NC (2024 Update)

  • North Wilkesboro Solar Installation Cost: $17,223
  • 25-Year Savings: $21,363
  • Payback Period: 12.7 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 Wilkesboro

Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in North Wilkesboro.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in North Wilkesboro it’s 4 per watt.The average North Wilkesboro homeowner needs a 7.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,223 with the federal tax credit, or $24,629 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in North Wilkesboro based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With average savings of about $18,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in North Wilkesboro find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.

To get a free quote from a highly rated solar company in North Wilkesboro, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in North Wilkesboro

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,901
3 years $-13,257
5 years $-10,613
7 years $-7,969
9 years $-5,324
11 years $-2,680
13 years $-36
15 years $2,608
17 years $5,253
19 years $7,897
21 years $10,541
23 years $13,185
25 years $15,830

Top Solar Installers in North Wilkesboro

When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to go with a solar company since handling can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in North Wilkesboro:

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

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in North Wilkesboro

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Wilkesboro

For many North Wilkesboro homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in North Wilkesboro, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,510 per kilowatt in North Wilkesboro.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in North Wilkesboro, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to consider that as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in North Wilkesboro is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $3.65 $15,332 $13,621 13.2 years
8 kW $3.58 $20,049 $18,555 13.0 years
10 kW $3.51 $24,570 $23,685 12.7 years
12 kW $3.44 $28,894 $29,011 12.5 years
14 kW $3.37 $33,022 $34,534 12.2 years
16 kW $3.30 $36,953 $40,254 12.0 years
18 kW $3.23 $40,688 $46,170 11.7 years
20 kW $3.16 $44,226 $52,283 11.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming 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.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.

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

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's North Wilkesboro, NC Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in North Wilkesboro?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,550 for a 5-kW system and $35,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Are solar panels free in North Wilkesboro?

You can’t get solar panels for free in North Wilkesboro. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

How will having solar panels impact the value of my home?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in North Wilkesboro is currently $200,652, which means you can expect a value of about $8,227 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in North Wilkesboro is a fruitful investment.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.

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