Solar Panel Cost Guide in Charlottesville, VA (Mar 2023)
- Charlottesville Solar Installation Cost: $15,169
- 25-Year Savings: $21,652
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Charlottesville
Here's how much it might cost to go solar in Charlottesville.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Charlottesville, the average cost of a solar system is 2.75 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Charlottesville, most homeowners require a 7.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $15,169, or $21,692 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Charlottesville based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Charlottesville see about $18,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To receive a free quote from a top solar company in Charlottesville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Charlottesville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,696 |
| 3 years | $-10,750 |
| 5 years | $-7,805 |
| 7 years | $-4,859 |
| 9 years | $-1,913 |
| 11 years | $1,032 |
| 13 years | $3,978 |
| 15 years | $6,924 |
| 17 years | $9,869 |
| 19 years | $12,815 |
| 21 years | $15,761 |
| 23 years | $18,707 |
| 25 years | $21,652 |
Top Solar Installers in Charlottesville
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of a solar panel installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Companies can also offer access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for your family.
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 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 Charlottesville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Charlottesville
The cost of installing a solar system in Charlottesville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $2,750. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a popular option because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. 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're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
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 Charlottesville, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $16,033 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $21,685 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $27,491 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $33,451 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $39,566 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $45,834 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $52,256 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $58,832 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
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 Charlottesville, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Charlottesville?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality 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.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $934.82 per year.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.