Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bedford, VA (2024 Update)
- Bedford Solar Installation Cost: $19,387
- 25-Year Savings: $11,406
- Payback Period: 18.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bedford
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Bedford.
In Bedford, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Bedford, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $19,387, or $27,723 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $14,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Bedford find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Bedford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,968 |
| 3 years | $-15,128 |
| 5 years | $-12,289 |
| 7 years | $-9,449 |
| 9 years | $-6,610 |
| 11 years | $-3,771 |
| 13 years | $-931 |
| 15 years | $1,908 |
| 17 years | $4,748 |
| 19 years | $7,587 |
| 21 years | $10,426 |
| 23 years | $13,266 |
| 25 years | $16,105 |
Top Solar Installers in Bedford
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra labor and handiness. That's one of the reasons most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your home.
If you're searching for a solar company in Bedford, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Bedford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bedford
There are several criteria that can affect your 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for 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 over time on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Bedford average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bedford to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Bedford homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Bedford is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.73 | $15,681 | $4,739 | 19.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $6,721 | 18.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $8,904 | 18.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $11,288 | 18.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $13,873 | 17.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $16,659 | 17.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $19,646 | 17.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $22,834 | 16.6 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 select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have different brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Bedford, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bedford?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 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 higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located 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 $680.68 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Bedford?
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 level 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.