Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brentwood, TN (2024 Update)
- Brentwood Solar Installation Cost: $19,919
- 25-Year Savings: $5,341
- Payback Period: 25.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brentwood
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Brentwood.
In Brentwood, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Brentwood, most homeowners require a 7.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $19,919, or $28,484 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Brentwood can save around $9,700 on their power bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Brentwood that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Brentwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,417 |
| 3 years | $-15,413 |
| 5 years | $-12,409 |
| 7 years | $-9,406 |
| 9 years | $-6,402 |
| 11 years | $-3,398 |
| 13 years | $-394 |
| 15 years | $2,610 |
| 17 years | $5,613 |
| 19 years | $8,617 |
| 21 years | $11,621 |
| 23 years | $14,625 |
| 25 years | $17,629 |
Top Solar Installers in Brentwood
When going solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy needs, but going with a solar installer can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions 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 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 Brentwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brentwood
There are several factors 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
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,580.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Brentwood have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate 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
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Brentwood, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $3.72 | $15,637 | $-1,148 | 27.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.65 | $20,449 | $-1,130 | 26.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.58 | $25,060 | $-911 | 25.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.51 | $29,471 | $-492 | 25.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.44 | $33,681 | $128 | 24.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,690 | $948 | 24.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.29 | $41,499 | $1,969 | 23.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.22 | $45,108 | $3,190 | 23.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar 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 difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
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 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 Brentwood, TN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Brentwood?
The average cost of solar panels in Brentwood is about $17,900 for a 5-kW system and $35,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Brentwood?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system produces 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?
Even though 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 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.