Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pensacola, FL (2024 Update)
- Pensacola Solar Installation Cost: $13,072
- 25-Year Savings: $25,535
- Payback Period: 9.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pensacola
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Pensacola.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Pensacola it’s 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Pensacola is around 5.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,072 for a solar installation, or $18,693 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $23,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Pensacola
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,313 |
| 3 years | $-7,794 |
| 5 years | $-4,276 |
| 7 years | $-757 |
| 9 years | $2,761 |
| 11 years | $6,280 |
| 13 years | $9,798 |
| 15 years | $13,317 |
| 17 years | $16,835 |
| 19 years | $20,354 |
| 21 years | $23,872 |
| 23 years | $27,391 |
| 25 years | $30,909 |
Top Solar Installers in Pensacola
Putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you’re unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Pensacola
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pensacola
The cost of installing a solar system in Pensacola can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Pensacola, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,210 for each additional kilowatt you need.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Pensacola average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Pensacola homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Pensacola homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Pensacola, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $22,941 | 9.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $30,947 | 9.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $39,133 | 9.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $47,499 | 8.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $56,045 | 8.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $64,770 | 8.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $73,675 | 8.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $82,760 | 8.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will impact not only your overall 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, including:
- 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 part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar panels, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
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 Pensacola, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Pensacola?
The average cost of solar panels in Pensacola is about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will having solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.