Solar Panel Cost Guide in Goose Creek, SC (2024 Update)
- Goose Creek Solar Installation Cost: $18,511
- 25-Year Savings: $31,938
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Goose Creek
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Goose Creek.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Goose Creek, the average cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Goose Creek is around 7.7 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $18,511 for a solar installation, or $26,471 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Goose Creek homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Goose Creek can save about $24,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Goose Creek
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,771 |
| 3 years | $-13,290 |
| 5 years | $-9,809 |
| 7 years | $-6,328 |
| 9 years | $-2,848 |
| 11 years | $633 |
| 13 years | $4,114 |
| 15 years | $7,595 |
| 17 years | $11,076 |
| 19 years | $14,556 |
| 21 years | $18,037 |
| 23 years | $21,518 |
| 25 years | $24,999 |
Top Solar Installers in Goose Creek
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra labor and knowledge. That's why almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another good thing about going with a reputable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Goose Creek:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Goose Creek
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Goose Creek
The cost of installing a solar system in Goose Creek can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Goose Creek, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,450 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Goose Creek average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Goose Creek, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to factor 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 the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of green energy solutions in Goose Creek, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.59 | $15,070 | $21,354 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $28,859 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $36,557 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $44,448 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $52,532 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $60,809 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $69,280 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $77,943 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel 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 a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Goose Creek, SC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Goose Creek?
The average cost of solar panels in Goose Creek is about $17,250 for a 5-kW system and $34,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Goose Creek?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Goose Creek, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
Is going solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.