Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bellwood, VA (2023 Update)
- Bellwood Solar Installation Cost: $14,919
- 25-Year Savings: $21,285
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bellwood
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Bellwood.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Bellwood typically cost about 2.75. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Bellwood, most homeowners require a 7.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,919, or $21,334 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in Bellwood based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Bellwood can save around $18,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bellwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,471 |
| 3 years | $-10,574 |
| 5 years | $-7,678 |
| 7 years | $-4,782 |
| 9 years | $-1,885 |
| 11 years | $1,011 |
| 13 years | $3,907 |
| 15 years | $6,804 |
| 17 years | $9,700 |
| 19 years | $12,596 |
| 21 years | $15,492 |
| 23 years | $18,389 |
| 25 years | $21,285 |
Top Solar Installers in Bellwood
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Going with a solar panel installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. A solar installer can also help save you money in the long run by providing warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
Working with a professional solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Bellwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bellwood
Though the average cost of a solar system in Bellwood is $14,919, your actual cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $2,750. The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost 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. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Bellwood average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bellwood to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Bellwood 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
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Bellwood, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Bellwood have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of 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 help you save 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 | $16,031 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $21,683 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $27,488 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $33,448 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $39,561 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $45,829 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $52,251 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $58,826 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your 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 difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Bellwood, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bellwood?
The average cost of solar panels in Bellwood is about $13,750 for a 5-kW system and $27,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Bellwood?
You can't get solar panels for free in Bellwood. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Bellwood is currently $167,400, which means you could be looking at a value of about $6,863 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Bellwood is a fruitful investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last 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 larger amount 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.