Solar Panel Cost Guide in Arlington, VA (Mar 2023)
- Arlington Solar Installation Cost: $15,612
- 25-Year Savings: $20,592
- Payback Period: 10.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Arlington
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Arlington.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Arlington is 2.75 per watt. The average Arlington homeowner needs a 8.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $15,612 with the federal tax credit, or $22,325 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Despite the high initial cost, the average Arlington homeowner can save around $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Arlington for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Arlington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,164 |
| 3 years | $-11,267 |
| 5 years | $-8,371 |
| 7 years | $-5,475 |
| 9 years | $-2,578 |
| 11 years | $318 |
| 13 years | $3,214 |
| 15 years | $6,111 |
| 17 years | $9,007 |
| 19 years | $11,903 |
| 21 years | $14,799 |
| 23 years | $17,696 |
| 25 years | $20,592 |
Top Solar Installers in Arlington
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar installation company since handling can be a time-consuming project. Plus, if you're not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Arlington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Arlington
There are a number of factors that can influence your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The kind of 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. On the other hand, 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 Arlington average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Arlington homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Arlington is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you'll have no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. Additionally, some companies in Arlington know more about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.86 | $12,012 | $14,762 | 11.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $19,990 | 11.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $25,373 | 10.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $30,909 | 10.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $36,600 | 10.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $42,445 | 10.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $48,443 | 9.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $54,596 | 9.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you choose.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Arlington, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Arlington?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,750 for a 5-kW system and $27,500 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 consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
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% after installing a solar system."
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.