Solar Panel Cost Guide in Buena Vista, VA (2023 Update)
- Buena Vista Solar Installation Cost: $15,024
- 25-Year Savings: $23,569
- Payback Period: 9.7 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Buena Vista
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Buena Vista.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Buena Vista it's 2.75 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Buena Vista is around 7.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $15,015 for a solar installation, or $21,471 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Buena Vista can save around $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Buena Vista
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,895 |
| 3 years | $-14,638 |
| 5 years | $-14,381 |
| 7 years | $-14,123 |
| 9 years | $-13,866 |
| 11 years | $-13,609 |
| 13 years | $-13,351 |
| 15 years | $-13,094 |
| 17 years | $-12,837 |
| 19 years | $-12,580 |
| 21 years | $-12,322 |
| 23 years | $-12,065 |
| 25 years | $-11,808 |
Top Solar Installers in Buena Vista
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra effort and know-how. That's why most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies provide can be helpful as well, especially if you aren't sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Buena Vista
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Buena Vista
The cost of installing a solar system in Buena Vista can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Buena Vista, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,750 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Buena Vista have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of 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. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Buena Vista is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you'll have no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have 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 | $17,657 | 10.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $23,850 | 9.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $30,198 | 9.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $36,700 | 9.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $43,355 | 9.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $50,165 | 9.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $57,129 | 9.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $64,246 | 8.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Buena Vista, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you hire.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Buena Vista, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Buena Vista?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Buena Vista?
You can't get solar panels for free in Buena Vista. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How will installing solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for 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 solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.