Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fishersville, VA (2023 Update)

  • Fishersville Solar Installation Cost: $15,150
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,244
  • Payback Period: 10.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fishersville

We break down average solar pricing in Fishersville.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Fishersville generally cost about 2.75. Because a 7.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Fishersville, the average price of going solar will be about $15,150 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Fishersville homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on power bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in your area for a personalized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Fishersville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,734
3 years $-10,902
5 years $-8,071
7 years $-5,239
9 years $-2,408
11 years $424
13 years $3,255
15 years $6,087
17 years $8,918
19 years $11,750
21 years $14,581
23 years $17,413
25 years $20,244

Top Solar Installers in Fishersville

Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra energy and expertise. That's why the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Companies can also have access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for you.

If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

See all of the solar companies in Fishersville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fishersville

For many Fishersville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Fishersville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,750 per kilowatt in Fishersville. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Fishersville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Fishersville offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to 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 finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Fishersville, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is within your budget.

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 $14,977 11.1 years
8 kW $2.81 $15,708 $20,278 10.9 years
10 kW $2.75 $19,250 $25,732 10.7 years
12 kW $2.69 $22,638 $31,341 10.5 years
14 kW $2.64 $25,872 $37,103 10.3 years
16 kW $2.58 $28,952 $43,020 10.1 years
18 kW $2.53 $31,878 $49,090 9.8 years
20 kW $2.48 $34,650 $55,315 9.6 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 find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
  • Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's Fishersville, VA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fishersville?

The average cost of solar panels in Fishersville 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Fishersville?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.

How will installing solar panels impact my property value?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Fishersville is currently $198,075, so you could be looking at a value of about $8,121 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Fishersville is a worthwhile investment.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.

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