Solar Panel Cost Guide in Forest, VA (2024 Update)
- Forest Solar Installation Cost: $19,387
- 25-Year Savings: $22,183
- Payback Period: 13.1 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Forest
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Forest.
In Forest, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Forest, most homeowners require a 7.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $19,387, or $27,723 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $18,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Forest find investing in solar can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Forest that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Forest
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,968 |
| 3 years | $-15,128 |
| 5 years | $-12,289 |
| 7 years | $-9,449 |
| 9 years | $-6,610 |
| 11 years | $-3,771 |
| 13 years | $-931 |
| 15 years | $1,908 |
| 17 years | $4,748 |
| 19 years | $7,587 |
| 21 years | $10,426 |
| 23 years | $13,266 |
| 25 years | $16,105 |
Top Solar Installers in Forest
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of a solar panel installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Companies can also offer access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for your family.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Forest
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Forest
There are many criteria that can affect your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Forest, one of the most important 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 consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,590 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Forest average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Forest have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Forest homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Forest, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $13,121 | 13.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $17,897 | 13.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $22,874 | 13.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $28,052 | 12.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $33,431 | 12.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $39,011 | 12.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $44,792 | 12.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $50,774 | 11.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Forest, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Forest?
The average cost of solar panels in Forest 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 stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Forest?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 should be disposed of 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 continue to use 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.