Solar Panel Cost Guide in Blacksburg, VA (2023 Update)
- Blacksburg Solar Installation Cost: $15,169
- 25-Year Savings: $23,316
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Blacksburg
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Blacksburg.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Blacksburg generally cost around 2.75. The average solar panel system size in Blacksburg is around 7.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $15,169 for a solar installation, or $21,692 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Blacksburg homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Even with the significant upfront cost, the average Blacksburg homeowner can save about $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To receive a free quote from a highly rated solar company in Blacksburg, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Blacksburg
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,630 |
| 3 years | $-10,551 |
| 5 years | $-7,472 |
| 7 years | $-4,393 |
| 9 years | $-1,314 |
| 11 years | $1,764 |
| 13 years | $4,843 |
| 15 years | $7,922 |
| 17 years | $11,001 |
| 19 years | $14,079 |
| 21 years | $17,158 |
| 23 years | $20,237 |
| 25 years | $23,316 |
Top Solar Installers in Blacksburg
When going solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installation company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. A solar company can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and part replacements.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Blacksburg
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Blacksburg
For many Blacksburg homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Blacksburg, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,750 per kilowatt in Blacksburg. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Blacksburg provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar. 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 can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Blacksburg, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $17,277 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $23,344 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $29,566 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $35,941 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $42,470 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $49,153 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $55,990 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $62,981 | 8.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Blacksburg, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you hire.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
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 Blacksburg, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Blacksburg?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Blacksburg?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Is it worth going solar in Blacksburg?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Blacksburg?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.