Solar Panel Cost Guide in Greenbriar, VA (2023 Update)
- Greenbriar Solar Installation Cost: $15,521
- 25-Year Savings: $21,159
- Payback Period: 10.6 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Greenbriar
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Greenbriar.
In Greenbriar, solar panels cost about 2.75 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Greenbriar, most homeowners require a 8.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $15,515, or $22,186 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Greenbriar homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Greenbriar can save about $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in Greenbriar for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Greenbriar
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,399 |
| 3 years | $-15,155 |
| 5 years | $-14,910 |
| 7 years | $-14,666 |
| 9 years | $-14,421 |
| 11 years | $-14,177 |
| 13 years | $-13,932 |
| 15 years | $-13,687 |
| 17 years | $-13,443 |
| 19 years | $-13,198 |
| 21 years | $-12,954 |
| 23 years | $-12,709 |
| 25 years | $-12,465 |
Top Solar Installers in Greenbriar
When going solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installation company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. Plus, if you're unsure what type of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar installer can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Greenbriar:
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 Greenbriar
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Greenbriar
There are many factors that can influence 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 panels.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,750. The model of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment consists of 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 for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in Greenbriar, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total 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 original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you select will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $2.86 | $12,012 | $15,283 | 11.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $20,686 | 10.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $26,242 | 10.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $31,952 | 10.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $37,817 | 10.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $43,835 | 9.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $50,008 | 9.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $56,334 | 9.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you opt for will be a major factor in determining not only your overall 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 take into account, such as:
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you go with.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the durability of your solar panels, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Greenbriar, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Greenbriar?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,750 for a 5-kW system and $27,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go 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.
Can solar panels eliminate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $909.84 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.