Solar Panel Cost Guide in Jacksonville, FL (2024 Update)
- Jacksonville Solar Installation Cost: $12,489
- 25-Year Savings: $20,140
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Jacksonville
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Jacksonville.
In Jacksonville, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average Jacksonville homeowner needs a 5.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,489 with the federal tax credit, or $17,859 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $20,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Jacksonville find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Jacksonville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,028 |
| 3 years | $-8,105 |
| 5 years | $-5,183 |
| 7 years | $-2,260 |
| 9 years | $663 |
| 11 years | $3,585 |
| 13 years | $6,508 |
| 15 years | $9,430 |
| 17 years | $12,353 |
| 19 years | $15,276 |
| 21 years | $18,198 |
| 23 years | $21,121 |
| 25 years | $24,044 |
Top Solar Installers in Jacksonville
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be challenging. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Jacksonville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Jacksonville
There are several criteria that can influence your solar panel 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
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Jacksonville, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,210 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a popular choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you pick will affect your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.34 | $14,021 | $18,345 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $24,820 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $31,475 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $38,309 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $45,323 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $52,517 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $59,890 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $67,443 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose significantly impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Jacksonville, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Jacksonville?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Jacksonville?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Jacksonville. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Jacksonville?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.