Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dumbarton, VA (2023 Update)
- Dumbarton Solar Installation Cost: $14,976
- 25-Year Savings: $21,227
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dumbarton
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Dumbarton.
In Dumbarton, solar panels cost about 2.75 per watt on average. Because a 7.8-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Dumbarton, the average price of going solar will be about $14,976 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The true price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Dumbarton based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. With typical savings of about $18,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Dumbarton find going solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Dumbarton that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Dumbarton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,528 |
| 3 years | $-10,632 |
| 5 years | $-7,736 |
| 7 years | $-4,839 |
| 9 years | $-1,943 |
| 11 years | $953 |
| 13 years | $3,849 |
| 15 years | $6,746 |
| 17 years | $9,642 |
| 19 years | $12,538 |
| 21 years | $15,435 |
| 23 years | $18,331 |
| 25 years | $21,227 |
Top Solar Installers in Dumbarton
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Another advantage of going with a solar company is that they can help you maximize your ROI by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you're searching for a solar company in Dumbarton, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Dumbarton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dumbarton
The cost of installing a solar system in Dumbarton can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,750. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Dumbarton average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Dumbarton have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it's important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Dumbarton is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger 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 | $15,906 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $21,515 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $27,279 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $33,197 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $39,269 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $45,495 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $51,875 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $58,409 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Dumbarton, 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:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity 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.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering 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 well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect 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 Dumbarton, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Dumbarton?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Dumbarton is currently $187,393, which means you could be looking at a value of about $7,683 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Dumbarton is a rewarding investment.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically 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.