Solar Panels Cost 19k-30k in Athens, AL | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $19k-$30k in Athens, AL | October, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Athens, AL in 2024?

In Athens, AL, the cost per watt for solar panel systems averages $3.95 per watt in October, 2024.

As a result of this rate per watt, expect costs to be $3,950, on average, for every 1000 watts (or 1 kW) of solar energy your solar system will need to produce. A 5 kW solar panel system in Athens is typically approximately $13,825 after accounting for the 30% federal income tax credit. To meet your energy demands, you could need more than a 5kW system.

Use the left-hand menu to select your area and view the typical roof size and the maximum capacity for solar panels on homes in your county. Below, you can see an outline of the price, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Athens: $13,825US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Athens: 7 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Athens: $17,337US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Athens

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Athens.

Roof size 1,073sq. ft.
Capacity 15kW DC
Electricity 18.6kkWh AC per yr.

Electricity Costs in Athens, AL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

The average monthly cost for electricity in Athens is $154.53, with typical usage at 1,312 kWh. Flats and other smaller living spaces with reduced energy consumption are accounted for in this statistic.

The average rate for electricity in Athens, AL in October, 2024 is 11.78¢ per kWh.

In Athens, the typical electricity user needs a solar power setup of 11 kW or larger to account for their entire energy usage requirements. Right now, an 11 kW solar panel installation costs $30,415 when including the 30% federal income tax credit.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Athens

On the left side below, the price breakdown for various sizes of the solar panel systems installed in Athens is shown. The larger the solar array, the higher the initial expense, but also the more considerable electricity savings and income tax credits you'll receive.

The breakdown of costs and benefits for solar panels, presented in the calculator down and to the right, is based on an average electric bill of $154.53 in Athens. To achieve personalized results, change the $154.53 to reflect your typical electricity payment.

System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,269 a year
Est. Price
$19,355
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,576 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $106
  • Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.89 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 179 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,621 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,450 a year
Est. Price
$22,120
Savings from a 8kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 12,087 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $121
  • Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.44 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 204 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 10,995 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,632 a year
Est. Price
$24,885
Savings from a 9kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 13,598 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $136
  • Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 5 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 230 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 12,370 mi less a year
System Size 10kW
Roof Size Min. space required
715 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,813 a year
Est. Price
$27,650
Savings from a 10kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 15,109 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $151
  • Full payback in 15 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.55 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 255 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 13,744 mi less a year
System Size 11kW
Roof Size Min. space required
787 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,994 a year
Est. Price
$30,415
Savings from a 11kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 16,620 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $155
  • Full payback in 16 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.7 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 262 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 14,100 mi less a year

Athens Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

With the REAP Grant, up to 100% and no less than 80% of the installation costs for solar or wind turbines may be covered for rural small business owners and farmers. Curious if you fall into this category? Verify your eligibility with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

Most homeowners can benefit from the federal 30% income tax credit for solar panels, which renders installing solar energy a logical choice in several regions of the U.S. Besides this, numerous state and local programs aim to further encourage the adoption of solar power.

Alabama features 4 solar rebate and incentive initiatives offered by multiple utilities and government bodies.

Solar incentives in AL

Local Government Energy Loan Program

Value:Varies

Through its public-private partnership with PowerSouth, Alabama's Local Government Energy Loan Program offers zero-interest loans to governments and educational institutes for improvements involving renewable energy sources. The loans are repayable through savings on utility bills. They may borrow up to $350,000 for eligible projects, while schools may ask for $350,000 pr campus or $500,000 per system. There is a minimum loan of $50,000. An energy audit must be completed to identify improvements and the recipient must be benchmarked using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager program following installation. Details and application are available on the program website.

Local Option- Sales Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Facilities

Value:Varies

In order to encourage renewable energy sources, Alabama allows local governments to provide exemptions and abatement for qualifying renewable energy facilities; the precise governmental body depends on the size of the facility. Facilities may also qualify for a reduced tax rate of 1.5%, although it was only available until 2019. Hydroelectric power is exempted from the definition of renewable energy resource, but most other renewable resources do meet the definition. Note that the local government can impose an additional sales or use tax. The exemption and abatement only apply to the noneducational portion of the sales tax.

Local Option- Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Faclities

Value:Varies

Alabama provides abatement of property tax for qualifying renewable energy facilities for the noneducational part of the property tax. While most renewable resources are included in the program, hydroelectric power is exempted. The property tax abatement is based on the annual value of the assessed value. The abatement may be given for ten years and extended for another ten years, for a total of twenty years, depending on the permission of the local authority. Interested facilities can apply with the local governmental body. The local authority will perform a cost/benefit analysis to determine the maximum exemption period for the abatement.

AlabamaSAVES Revolving Loan Program

Value:Varies

Alabama SAVES funds subordinated participating interests in qualified third-party loans for financing energy projects of existing Alabama businesses. The participating interest can be 25% of the loan or 100% of the cost of the project, whichever is lower. Before funding can be awarded, the project must undergo an energy assessment and an estimated energy savings impact must be submitted to ensure the loan will be paid back within 10 years. This program was initially capitalized through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Program and is offered through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Please see the program website for information and program materials.

Are solar panels worth it in Alabama?

If you're planning to live in your home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a smart decision in Athens. If you install a 5 kW solar system in Athens, AL, you might save $23,262.2 over 20 years on average, with a break even point at roughly 7 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Athens, AL

Failing to install solar panels or an alternative backup energy results in missing the savings mentioned earlier and being entirely reliant on your electric utility for electricity. The media has demonstrated several cases where full reliance on your utility is not always ideal.

In recent years, the utilities in Alabama have recorded an average of 1.69 outages per customer annually. Each outage, on average, lasts for 168.86 minutes. In the case of major events like earthquakes, construction accidents, or aging infrastructure, this period can rise substantially.

A solar panel system, whether it has a backup battery or not, could reduce the impact of future power outages you might experience.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Limestone County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Athens, AL?

Your Energy Needs - Even if the initial expense is larger, the price per watt drops with larger solar panel systems. For most homeowners, setting up a system that can make enough power to eliminate their entire electric bill is useful, providing significant savings.

Make & Model - Just like many products, solar panels come in a wide variety of makes and models. It's essential to pick a highly rated installer, given the brand preferences that installers may have. Higher grade makes and models typically result in an better long-term experience for the buyer.

Solar Panel Type - The standard in the industry is now monocrystalline panels, and rightly so. These panels are more expensive, yet they generate more energy. Many installers tend to work with panels constructed from this material.

Your Property - Each property and home has its own characteristics. Factors like trees, sloping terrain, or additional considerations can make the installation more challenging. Nowadays, most solar installers are able to leverage satellite images to evaluate your home and incorporate these factors for the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Different companies offer different wages to their employees, and these costs are eventually passed on to the consumers. Businesses paying more to their employees typically garner higher reviews for their work and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility level interconnection fees change by area and will influence your final install price. Good local installers will build these figures into your preliminary estimates to avoid any surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other AL cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Athens?

Eagle Solar and Light

Birmingham, AL(205) 202-2208

Services

  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Academy Energy Group

Newburgh, IN(812) 518-2150

Services

  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Go Solar Power

Boca Raton, FL(800) 530-9597

Services

  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Silver Sun Solar

Deltona, FL(340) 227-7785

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Tungsten Electric

Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government, TN(615) 491-0206

Services

  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

City Electric Supply

Dallas, TX(866) 634-9853

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

LightEdison

Denver, CO(888) 966-6377

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Solar Plus

Atlanta, GA(470) 378-1182

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Athens, AL Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • The typical cost per watt for solar panels in Athens, AL as of October, 2024 is $3.95/W. The cost of installing a 5 kW solar panel system in Athens, AL is about $13,825 post federal tax credit.
  • Homeowners in Alabama can take advantage of 4 different rebates and incentives from a variety of utility companies and government agencies. Additionally, almost everyone is entitled to the 30% federal income tax credit.
  • Although paying in cash provides the most savings, numerous financing options for solar panels now exist that are financially sensible. Many installers will detail information about their financing partners in the initial quotes they provide.
  • Yes, the typical payback time for 5 kW solar panel systems in Athens, AL is 7 years, and the expected electricity cost savings over 20 years is $23,262.2.
Ginalyn Gelera
Last Reviewed By: Ginalyn Gelera
Published: 2024-10-01