Solar Panel Cost Guide in Williamsburg, KY (2024 Update)
- Williamsburg Solar Installation Cost: $24,504
- 25-Year Savings: $23,026
- Payback Period: 15.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Williamsburg
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Williamsburg.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Williamsburg it’s 4 per watt.Because a 9.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Williamsburg, the average price of going solar will be about $24,504 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Williamsburg based on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in Williamsburg, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Williamsburg
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,125 |
| 3 years | $-20,367 |
| 5 years | $-17,609 |
| 7 years | $-14,852 |
| 9 years | $-12,094 |
| 11 years | $-9,336 |
| 13 years | $-6,578 |
| 15 years | $-3,821 |
| 17 years | $-1,063 |
| 19 years | $1,695 |
| 21 years | $4,453 |
| 23 years | $7,211 |
| 25 years | $9,968 |
Top Solar Installers in Williamsburg
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over time.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Williamsburg
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Williamsburg
For many Williamsburg homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Williamsburg, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Williamsburg, one of the most crucial 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 gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Williamsburg, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Williamsburg homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Williamsburg is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.80 | $15,943 | $8,290 | 16.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $11,462 | 16.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $14,838 | 15.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $18,419 | 15.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $22,205 | 15.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $26,194 | 14.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $30,388 | 14.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $34,787 | 14.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you’d like to get plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Williamsburg, KY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Williamsburg?
The average cost of solar panels in Williamsburg is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Williamsburg?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 incentives 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 eliminate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $807.77 per year.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.