Solar Panel Cost Guide in Colonial Beach, VA (2025 Update)
- Colonial Beach Solar Installation Cost: $19,443
- 25-Year Savings: $23,522
- Payback Period: 12.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Colonial Beach
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Colonial Beach.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Colonial Beach generally cost about 4.The average Colonial Beach homeowner needs a 7.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $19,443 with the federal tax credit, or $27,803 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Colonial Beach homeowners. The price 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.With typical savings of about $19,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Colonial Beach find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Colonial Beach for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Colonial Beach
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,844 |
| 3 years | $-14,646 |
| 5 years | $-11,448 |
| 7 years | $-8,250 |
| 9 years | $-5,052 |
| 11 years | $-1,854 |
| 13 years | $1,344 |
| 15 years | $4,542 |
| 17 years | $7,739 |
| 19 years | $10,937 |
| 21 years | $14,135 |
| 23 years | $17,333 |
| 25 years | $20,531 |
Top Solar Installers in Colonial Beach
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a stressful undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Colonial Beach, thereby optimizing your ROI.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Colonial Beach
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Colonial Beach
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Colonial Beach: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,590 per kilowatt in Colonial Beach.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Colonial Beach average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Colonial Beach, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, 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 more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panels can play a part in determining your pricing. Colonial Beach’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Colonial Beach 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 end up saving you 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 | $3.73 | $15,681 | $14,111 | 13.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $19,216 | 12.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $24,523 | 12.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $30,031 | 12.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $35,739 | 12.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $41,649 | 11.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $47,760 | 11.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $54,072 | 11.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Colonial Beach, 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:
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Colonial Beach, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Colonial Beach?
The average cost of solar panels in Colonial Beach is about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Colonial Beach?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Colonial Beach. 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.
Can solar panels eliminate my energy bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Colonial Beach, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in Colonial Beach?
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 decide to replace them once you've had 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.