Solar Panel Cost Guide in Church Hill, TN (2024 Update)
- Church Hill Solar Installation Cost: $20,018
- 25-Year Savings: $17,533
- Payback Period: 15.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Church Hill
We go over average solar pricing in Church Hill.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Church Hill it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Church Hill, most homeowners require a 8.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $20,018, or $28,626 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Church Hill based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With average savings of about $15,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Church Hill find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Church Hill
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,633 |
| 3 years | $-15,865 |
| 5 years | $-13,096 |
| 7 years | $-10,328 |
| 9 years | $-7,559 |
| 11 years | $-4,790 |
| 13 years | $-2,022 |
| 15 years | $747 |
| 17 years | $3,515 |
| 19 years | $6,284 |
| 21 years | $9,053 |
| 23 years | $11,821 |
| 25 years | $14,590 |
Top Solar Installers in Church Hill
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it takes extra energy and expertise. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Local solar companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Church Hill:
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 Church Hill
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Church Hill
For many Church Hill homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Church Hill, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,580.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Church Hill, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Church Hill to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.It’s a good idea to add 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
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Church Hill is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $7,990 | 16.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.65 | $20,449 | $11,054 | 16.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.58 | $25,060 | $14,319 | 15.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.51 | $29,471 | $17,784 | 15.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.44 | $33,681 | $21,449 | 15.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,690 | $25,315 | 15.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.29 | $41,499 | $29,382 | 14.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.22 | $45,108 | $33,649 | 14.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly influences your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the endurance of your solar energy system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, be sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying 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.
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 Church Hill, TN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Church Hill?
The average cost of solar panels in Church Hill 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 stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Church Hill?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Church Hill?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future electricity bills.
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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having 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.