Solar Panels Cost 16k-27k in Fort Payne, AL | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $16k-$27k in Fort Payne, AL | October, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Fort Payne, AL in 2024?

The average price per watt of solar systems in Fort Payne, AL in October, 2024 is estimated at $3.95/W.

Stemming from this price, we are able to conclude that for every 1000 watts (1 kW) your solar system can produce, you will have to invest $3,950 for installation. When you consider the 30% federal tax credit, you will spend around $13,825, in Fort Payne, for a 5 kW panel install. However, bear in mind that you may require a more extensive system to ensure your energy demands are met.

By selecting your county on the left, you can find out the average roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar panel systems in your area. The following analysis, below, highlights the costs, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Fort Payne: $13,825US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Fort Payne: 8 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Fort Payne: $15,681US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Fort Payne

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

Roof size 912sq. ft.
Capacity 12.75kW DC
Electricity 16.2kkWh AC per yr.

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

For energy consumers in Fort Payne, the average electric bill amounts to $147.63 per month, with a typical usage of 1,182 kWh. Flats and other smaller living spaces with reduced energy consumption are covered in this figure.

The rate of electricity in Fort Payne, AL, on average, is 12.49¢ per kWh in October 2024.

If your household consumes an average amount of electricity in Fort Payne, you will want a solar power system of 10 kW or higher to fully cover your full electricity usage requirements. The initial cost for a 10 kW setup amounts to $39,500, but after receiving a 30% federal tax credit, your total comes down to $27,650.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Fort Payne

Shown on the left, you will find a pricing structure for multiple solar panel system sizes installed in Fort Payne. The more extensive the solar array, the higher the initial expense, but also the more substantial electricity savings and income tax credits you'll receive.

The solar panel cost and benefit breakdown, visible in the calculator to the right and below, is based on an average electric bill of $147.63 in Fort Payne. To get more personalized results, easily adjust the $147.63to match your usual electricity bill amount.

System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,088 a year
Est. Price
$16,590
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 9,065 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $91
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.49 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 160 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 8,637 mi less a year
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 11 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.07 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 187 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 10,076 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 4.65 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 214 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 11,515 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 14 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.23 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 240 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 12,955 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 $148
  • 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

Fort Payne Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

The REAP Grant can potentially cover between 80% and 100% of the installation costs for photovoltaic or wind turbines for rural small businesses and agricultural businesses. If you feel you might be eligible, try our REAP Grant eligibility tool to confirm your qualification.

Adding residential solar panels comes with a 30% federal tax credit, offered to nearly all homeowners, making it a smart option for many areas throughout the United States. State and local governments offer various programs to further encourage the switch to solar energy.

Residents of Alabama can access 4 solar rebate and incentive programs from a number of utilities and governmental organizations.

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?

Intending to stay in your house beyond the solar payback period? Solar panels are a wise investment in Fort Payne. A 5 kW system in Fort Payne, AL will help you save you, on average, $21,606.2 over a 20 period and the average break even point is 8 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Fort Payne, AL

Without solar panels or another backup power source, you lose out on the earlier mentioned savings and are entirely dependent on your electric utility for electricity. As we have seen in many recent news reports, complete reliance on your utility is not always ideal.

Recently, Alabama has seen an average of 1.69 utility outages per customer each year. On average, each outage lasts for 168.86 minutes. Major events like lightning strikes, equipment failure, or construction accidents can considerably extend these durations.

Whether or not a backup battery is present, a solar panel system could help ease the impact of future power outages you might face.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in DeKalb County.

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Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Fort Payne, AL?

Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel setups come with a higher price tag, yet the cost per watt lowers as the size of the system expands. For most individuals, installing a system that can generate enough power to fully offset their entire electric bill is beneficial, providing significant savings.

Make & Model - Solar panels, just like many other products, come in different makes and models. The preferences for brand that your contractor has may make it vital to select a reputable installer. Choosing higher quality materials typically ensures a more satisfying long-term experience for the buyer.

Solar Panel Type - The standard in the industry is now monocrystalline panels, and justifiably so. Despite the higher price tag, these panels generate greater energy output. Many installation experts use panels constructed from this material.

Your Property - Every home and property is unique. Uneven land, trees, or v can increase the complexity of the installation. By using satellite images, many solar installers these days can evaluate your home and incorporate these considerations into the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Employees get varied wages from different companies, and these costs are passed on to the consumers. Businesses paying more to their employees frequently receive higher reviews for their work and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - The final price of your installation will be impacted by local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which differ by location. That said, experienced local installers will be able to build these numbers into your initial quotes so there are no surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other AL cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Fort Payne?

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.

Fort Payne, AL Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • The typical cost per watt for solar panels in Fort Payne, AL as of October, 2024 is $3.95/W. A 5 kW solar panel system will cost you around $13,825 in Fort Payne, AL after the federal tax credit is applied.

  • Various utility providers and government organizations in Alabama are offering 4 rebates and incentives at this time. Also, nearly everyone can take advantage of the 30% federal tax credit.

  • Even though paying cash provides the most savings, there are now multiple financing options for solar panels that also are cost-effective. Installers often have partnerships with financing companies and will include this information in your initial quotes.

  • Yes, the average 5 kW solar panel payback period in Fort Payne, AL stands at 8 years, yielding average electricity savings of $21,606.2 over 20 years.
Matt Hope
Last Reviewed By: Matt Hope
Published: 2024-10-01