Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dulles Town Center, VA (2023 Update)
- Dulles Town Center Solar Installation Cost: $15,641
- 25-Year Savings: $21,159
- Payback Period: 10.6 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dulles Town Center
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Dulles Town Center.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Dulles Town Center it's 2.75 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 8.1-kW system would cost about $15,650 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with. Even with the high upfront cost, the average Dulles Town Center homeowner can save about $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in Dulles Town Center for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Dulles Town Center
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,042 |
| 3 years | $-10,845 |
| 5 years | $-7,647 |
| 7 years | $-4,449 |
| 9 years | $-1,251 |
| 11 years | $1,947 |
| 13 years | $5,145 |
| 15 years | $8,343 |
| 17 years | $11,541 |
| 19 years | $14,738 |
| 21 years | $17,936 |
| 23 years | $21,134 |
| 25 years | $24,332 |
Top Solar Installers in Dulles Town Center
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a challenging project, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for you.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. 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 Dulles Town Center
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dulles Town Center
The cost of installing a solar system in Dulles Town Center can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
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 electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,750 per kilowatt in Dulles Town Center. The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Dulles Town Center to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest. While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Dulles Town Center homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Dulles Town Center, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $15,162 | 11.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $20,524 | 10.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $26,040 | 10.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $31,710 | 10.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $37,534 | 10.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $43,512 | 10.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $49,644 | 9.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $55,930 | 9.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Dulles Town Center, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure you read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in 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 Dulles Town Center, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dulles Town Center?
The average cost of solar panels in Dulles Town Center is about $13,750 for a 5-kW system and $27,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Dulles Town Center?
You can't get solar panels for free in Dulles Town Center. 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'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Dulles Town Center?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future utility bills.
How long do solar panels last in Dulles Town Center?
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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.