Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dumfries, VA (2024 Update)
- Dumfries Solar Installation Cost: $20,044
- 25-Year Savings: $21,447
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dumfries
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Dumfries.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Dumfries, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Dumfries is around 8.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $20,044 for a solar installation, or $28,663 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Dumfries based on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.Even with the high initial cost, the average Dumfries homeowner can save around $18,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Dumfries
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-18,445 |
3 years | $-15,247 |
5 years | $-12,049 |
7 years | $-8,851 |
9 years | $-5,653 |
11 years | $-2,455 |
13 years | $743 |
15 years | $3,941 |
17 years | $7,138 |
19 years | $10,336 |
21 years | $13,534 |
23 years | $16,732 |
25 years | $19,930 |
Top Solar Installers in Dumfries
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to go with a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Dumfries
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dumfries
There are several criteria that can influence your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Dumfries, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,590 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Dumfries, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically 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 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 | $3.73 | $15,681 | $12,002 | 14.2 years |
8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $16,405 | 13.9 years |
10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $21,009 | 13.6 years |
12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $25,814 | 13.3 years |
14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $30,819 | 13.1 years |
16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $36,026 | 12.8 years |
18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $41,434 | 12.5 years |
20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $47,043 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of offerings before making your decision.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Dumfries, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dumfries?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.