Cost of Solar Panels in Virginia: Local Solar Installation Prices (2022)
Here’s a quick look at the estimated cost of solar in Virginia:
- Average Cost Per Watt: $2.75
- Cost of Average System: $22,385*
- Cost of Energy Without Solar: $51,942
- Payback Period: 13 Years**
- Lifetime Savings of Going Solar: $21,692
*Average system size is calculated using data from the Energy Information Administration. This price is after tax credit.
**Payback period is calculated assuming the system is purchased in cash.
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Find Cost Savings on Solar in Virginia
As a homeowner in Virginia, you may be wondering: How much do solar panels cost in your area? In this article, we’ll discuss the average cost of a solar installation, how much that can save you on energy for your home and what incentives are available in your region. If you want to jump straight to getting a quote for an installation, you can follow the links below to speak with a verified professional.
Nationwide Service
Average cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market -
National coverage -
Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification -
Great warranty coverage -
Expensive -
Customer service varies by local dealer
Most efficient panels on the market 
Expensive Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
EV Chargers -
System Monitoring
Solar Panels 
Local Service
Average cost
Nova Solar
-
Representatives are experts on local policies -
NABCEP-certified technicians -
Offers products from leading manufacturers -
Great warranty coverage -
Limited service area -
Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries
Local Service
Average cost
Virtue Solar
-
Educational, no-pressure sales approach -
Representatives are experts on local policies -
NABCEP-certified technicians -
Relatively young company -
Limited service area
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels -
Solar Batteries -
Roofing Services -
System Monitoring
The figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Virginia homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different based on factors unique to you.
Cost of Solar Panels in Virginia
A roughly 11-KW solar system is needed to meet the average monthly energy consumption of Virginia residents. With an average cost of $2.75 per watt for solar in Virginia, you’d pay a total of about $30,250 for an 11-kW home solar system. This is reduced to $22,385 after applying the federal solar tax credit.
If your household uses more or less energy than the state average, you’ll need a bigger or smaller system size. Most residents see pre-tax-credit solar costs between $22,000 and $38,500 in Virginia.
Solar Panel System Installation Cost in Virginia
The cost to install a solar energy system in VA depends mainly on the size of the system you need. Most solar equipment is installed based on wattage. At an average per-watt cost of $2.75 in VA, every kilowatt increment will cause your total cost to jump by $2,750. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sizing your solar electric system, so your best bet is to contact a reputable solar company in Virginia to get a quote customized for your home.
Just as an example, if you have a monthly electric bill of $130 — which is about the average in Virginia — you’ll likely need an 11-kW system to offset your utility bill entirely. This number can vary even further based on your home size, the energy efficiency of your appliances and more.
Below are the average costs of different sizes of solar installations in Virginia before and after you take advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC).
| Size of Solar Panel System | Virginia Solar Panel Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
| 8 kW | $22,000 | $16,280 |
| 9 kW | $24,750 | $18,315 |
| 10 kW | $27,500 | $20,350 |
| 11 kW | $30,250 | $22,385 |
| 12 kW | $33,000 | $24,420 |
| 13 kW | $35,750 | $26,455 |
| 14 kW | $38,500 | $28,490 |
Want to see our review of the best solar companies in Virginia that offer affordable, high-efficiency solar panel systems? Click below.
See Top Virginia Solar Installers
What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in Virginia?
There are many factors even beyond the size of the system that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation in VA. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
Solar panels might all look similar — black or blue boxes on a roof — but there are huge differences from brand to brand. Some more expensive brands, like SunPower and Panasonic, offer higher energy efficiency, which means more power production per panel. You might prefer these brands given their durability and longevity, or you may need high-efficiency options if you have a small roof and can only fit a few panels.
Solar panels that are more durable and efficient will almost always cost more upfront but will pay off in the long run.
Along with standard panels and inverters, you might want additional equipment, like solar batteries or electric vehicle chargers. Solar batteries are costly, but they act as a backup energy source to power your home through blackouts or at night when your panels aren’t producing. This can also help you save more long-term and give you a higher return on investment.
Luckily, many solar manufacturers are headquartered in and around Virginia, so equipment costs can sometimes be lower than in other states.
Solar Financing
Many Virginians choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. Solar loans make moving to renewable energy more accessible, but they typically come with higher costs in the long run, as loans will accrue interest.
You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Paying a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
The State of Virginia offers some incentives that can help minimize the long-term cost of financing your solar conversion. These include low-APR loans, grants and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), which can be used to pay down your loan more quickly, thereby reducing the total interest paid.
Solar Installation Company
Additionally, the solar installer you choose to handle your switch to clean energy can play a role in your total costs. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), there are 77 solar installation companies operating throughout Virginia, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.
Opting for companies that sell the best solar panels or batteries — like high-efficiency SunPower solar panels or Tesla Powerwall batteries — will usually lead to a higher total as well.
Virginia Solar Incentives
Going solar has never been easier or more affordable, thanks to a number of solar incentives offered to Virginia residents. Taking advantage of some or all of these can reduce your installation costs by more than $10,000 in some cases. Below, we’ll discuss the incentives available to VA homeowners from federal and state governments.
Federal Solar Tax Credit For Virginia Homeowners
The federal solar tax credit is a massive incentive to go solar offered by the federal government and available to all Virginia homeowners. Currently, taking advantage of this incentive will leave you with a credit come tax season worth 26% of your total photovoltaic installation costs. With the average price of an 11-kW system in Virginia totaling $30,250, that means savings of $7,865.
It should be noted that the federal tax credit is scheduled to drop to 22% in 2023 and be abandoned for residential systems in 2024. It’s possible that Congress will decide to extend the benefit, but it’s not guaranteed.
Net Metering Policies in Virginia
Net metering programs are offered by many utility companies throughout the country to benefit customers who go solar. The specifics of net metering policies can vary, but the general idea is that homeowners can be credited for producing more energy than they consume.
If your solar energy system produces more power than your home needs, the excess can be fed back into the local electricity grid in exchange for a credit from your utility company. These credits can be used to pay for future electricity bills, and in some cases, your power company could even write you a check for the value of the credits. The exact benefits will depend on your provider.
For most Virginia homeowners, Dominion Energy will be supply electricity. Luckily, Dominion is quite solar-friendly and has a great net metering policy. Dominion buys back excess kilowatt-hours of energy your system produces at the full retail rate for up to 20 kW for residential solar systems.
Local Solar Rebates or Grants in Virginia
There is also a solar tax exemption that the State of Virginia offers to incentivize the move to solar energy.
Installing solar will almost always increase your property value, provided you buy or finance rather than lease your panels and equipment.
In most cases, property tax increases when your property value goes up. To keep the indirect cost of solar down, Virginia offers a property tax exemption that ensures your tax rate won’t increase due to the addition of your solar panels.
Best Solar Panel Brands and Installed Solar System Costs in 2022
There are many different solar brands available to Virginia residents, all of which vary in price, efficiency, durability and warranty coverage. Below are some of the more popular manufacturers, along with relative pricing. You can check out our review of the best solar panels to determine which of these brands suits you and your property best.
| Solar Panel Brand | Average Cost Per Watt ($-$$$$$) |
| LG Solar | $$$ |
| Canadian Solar | $$$ |
| JA Solar | $$ |
| Mission Solar | $$ |
| Panasonic | $$ |
| Q Cells | $$ |
| REC | $$$ |
| Silfab | $$$ |
| SunPower | $$$$$ |
| Tesla | $$ |
| Trina Solar | $$$ |
Ready to see what going solar will cost for your specific Virginia home? You can get a quotation below based on your energy needs and expectations.
People Also Ask
FAQ: Solar Panel Cost Virginia
The EcoWatch team gets tons of questions from Virginia homeowners about going solar and the costs associated with the conversion. Below are some of the more common questions we see, along with our responses.
The average cost to install solar panels in Virginia is between $22,000 and $38,500 — or $16,280 and $28,490 after the 26% solar tax credit is applied. It’s challenging to estimate where your total will fall within that range because many factors can affect your pricing.
To get a good idea of your price for going solar, you’ll need to consider your home size, its energy efficiency, your energy usage, the equipment and installer you choose, local electricity rates, and much more. It’s best to have a reputable solar installer assess your home and come up with an estimate designed to meet your needs and expectations.
Yes, absolutely! Solar panel systems unilaterally increase the value of your home, provided you purchase the system outright or finance using a solar loan. This is especially true in areas like Virginia, where properties are already valuable and desirable, and local utility companies offer great net metering policies.
According to Zillow, solar systems will bump the average home’s value by around 4%. Research completed by the Berkeley Lab suggests that you could enjoy an even steeper increase. While the exact amount you can expect your home value to jump isn’t known, experts agree that solar is a worthwhile investment in the long run.
The lease vs. buy debate has been ongoing for years, and there really is no universal answer. Leasing and buying options both have their upsides and downsides.
Buying solar panels — via cash purchase or financing — allows you to take advantage of federal tax credits and other solar incentives. It also raises your home value, and you stand to save far more on energy costs over time than you would pay monthly for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). However, purchasing solar can be expensive upfront or if you’re only able to secure a loan with high-interest rates.
Leasing your solar equipment doesn’t raise your home value nearly as much, and you won’t be able to get the same incentives offered to homeowners who own their systems. Additionally, leasing saves the least amount of money over time on your electric bill. However, leases are some of the most affordable options in the short term, as companies usually don’t charge you high installation fees to get the system up and running.
We typically recommend buying your solar system outright or financing, as these options deliver the most benefits. Luckily, most Virginia homeowners will be able to secure low-APR loans and even no-money-down deals to keep clean energy accessible.
No, solar panels are not free in Virginia. Some companies might advertise that you can get panels for free, but this is usually code for a solar lease, which doesn’t actually help you save much money in the long run.
However, the average solar payback period for an 11-kW system in Virginia is about 13 years. For reference, solar panels typically last 25 years at the very least. This means that after your system has been producing energy for 13 years and you “break-even” on your investment, the energy you produce will essentially be free.
Yes, it is possible to eliminate your electric bills in Virginia by going solar. Virginia receives an average amount of sun, but residents throughout the state enjoy full retail rates for net metering and promising incentives that help to offset energy costs.
The answer to this question isn’t as black-and-white as you might think. Some resources online suggest that it’s possible to estimate the system size you’ll need based on the size of your home, which makes homeowners believe that this is a straightforward question to answer.
However, while the size of the system you need is indirectly related to your home size, it can fluctuate based on many other factors. These include your home’s energy efficiency, the number of people living in your home, your lifestyle, and your average energy consumption.
The best way to figure out what size solar system you need is to have a reputable solar installer assess your home. This will guarantee that your system is sufficient to cover the electricity you use.
