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
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Forest
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Forest.
The average cost of a solar system in Forest is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 7.7-kW system would cost about $19,387 before the 0 federal solar tax credit 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 going solar has a decent ROI.
To get a free quote from a highly rated solar installation company in Forest, you can click the button below.
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
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it takes extra energy and knowledge. That's why most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies provide can be helpful as well, especially if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Forest
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Forest
For many Forest homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Forest, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few 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 going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,590 per kilowatt in Forest.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Forest, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Forest is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $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 solar installer you opt for will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should consider, such as:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies offer different panels.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
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 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 real cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In areas 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.
Is it worth going solar in Forest?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though 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 opt 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.