Solar Panel Cost Guide in Falls Church, VA (2024 Update)
- Falls Church Solar Installation Cost: $20,314
- 25-Year Savings: $20,642
- Payback Period: 14.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Falls Church
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Falls Church.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Falls Church, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Falls Church, most homeowners require a 8.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $20,314, or $29,049 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Falls Church homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Falls Church
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,716 |
| 3 years | $-15,518 |
| 5 years | $-12,320 |
| 7 years | $-9,122 |
| 9 years | $-5,924 |
| 11 years | $-2,726 |
| 13 years | $472 |
| 15 years | $3,670 |
| 17 years | $6,867 |
| 19 years | $10,065 |
| 21 years | $13,263 |
| 23 years | $16,461 |
| 25 years | $19,659 |
Top Solar Installers in Falls Church
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it takes extra labor and expertise. That's why most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. Since solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
If you're searching for a solar company in Falls Church, the EcoWatch team has compiled 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
See all of the solar companies in Falls Church
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Falls Church
For many Falls Church homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Falls Church, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy 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 spend about $3,590 per kilowatt in Falls Church.The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Falls Church is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car 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 | $11,190 | 14.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $15,322 | 14.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $19,655 | 14.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $24,190 | 13.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $28,925 | 13.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $33,861 | 13.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $38,998 | 12.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $44,337 | 12.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly affects your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have different brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Falls Church, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Falls Church?
The average cost of solar panels in Falls Church 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.
Are solar panels free in Falls Church?
Solar panels aren’t free in Falls Church, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase your property’s 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 long do solar panels last in Falls Church?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of 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.