Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hartsville, SC (2024 Update)
- Hartsville Solar Installation Cost: $19,419
- 25-Year Savings: $28,293
- Payback Period: 11.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hartsville
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Hartsville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Hartsville it’s 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Hartsville, most homeowners require a 8.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $19,419, or $27,769 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Hartsville homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $22,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Hartsville find going solar can pay off big.
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 Hartsville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,861 |
| 3 years | $-14,745 |
| 5 years | $-11,629 |
| 7 years | $-8,513 |
| 9 years | $-5,397 |
| 11 years | $-2,281 |
| 13 years | $835 |
| 15 years | $3,951 |
| 17 years | $7,067 |
| 19 years | $10,183 |
| 21 years | $13,299 |
| 23 years | $16,414 |
| 25 years | $19,530 |
Top Solar Installers in Hartsville
Installing solar panels on your own can be a challenging project, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar installers offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what type of solar equipment you need.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Hartsville, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Hartsville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hartsville
There are a number of criteria that can affect your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Hartsville homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can affect how much it costs. Hartsville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within your budget.
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 | $17,465 | 11.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.52 | $19,706 | $23,673 | 11.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.45 | $24,150 | $30,074 | 11.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.38 | $28,400 | $36,669 | 10.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.31 | $32,458 | $43,457 | 10.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.24 | $36,322 | $50,438 | 10.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.17 | $39,992 | $57,612 | 10.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.11 | $43,470 | $64,979 | 10.0 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. Because selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy 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 acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Hartsville, SC Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Hartsville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,250 for a 5-kW system and $34,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Hartsville?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Is it worth going solar in Hartsville?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.