Solar Panel Cost Guide in Charlotte, VT (2024 Update)

  • Charlotte Solar Installation Cost: $15,413
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,268
  • Payback Period: 11.4 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Charlotte

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Charlotte.

In Charlotte, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Charlotte, most homeowners require a 5.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $15,413, or $22,041 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $22,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Charlotte find going solar can be quite rewarding.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Charlotte that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Charlotte

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-14,052
3 years $-11,331
5 years $-8,609
7 years $-5,887
9 years $-3,165
11 years $-444
13 years $2,278
15 years $5,000
17 years $7,722
19 years $10,443
21 years $13,165
23 years $15,887
25 years $18,609

Top Solar Installers in Charlotte

Installing solar panels on your own can be a stressful project, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run with their warranties, repair services and expert design.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:

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 for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Charlotte

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Charlotte

There are many factors that can play into your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,850 per kilowatt in Charlotte.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Charlotte have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can affect your pricing. Charlotte’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 $4.00 $16,817 $18,598 11.9 years
8 kW $3.93 $21,991 $25,229 11.6 years
10 kW $3.85 $26,950 $32,075 11.4 years
12 kW $3.77 $31,693 $39,137 11.2 years
14 kW $3.70 $36,221 $46,414 11.0 years
16 kW $3.62 $40,533 $53,907 10.7 years
18 kW $3.54 $44,629 $61,616 10.5 years
20 kW $3.47 $48,510 $69,540 10.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you choose will influence not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:

  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.

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 for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Charlotte, VT Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Charlotte?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $19,250 for a 5-kW system and $38,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Charlotte?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

Can solar panels significantly reduce my electricity bills?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Charlotte, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

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 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.

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