Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mechanicsville, VA (2024 Update)
- Mechanicsville Solar Installation Cost: $19,668
- 25-Year Savings: $20,325
- Payback Period: 13.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mechanicsville
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Mechanicsville.
The average cost of a solar system in Mechanicsville is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Mechanicsville is around 7.8 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $19,668 for a solar installation, or $28,125 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $17,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Mechanicsville find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Mechanicsville, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Mechanicsville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,069 |
| 3 years | $-14,872 |
| 5 years | $-11,674 |
| 7 years | $-8,476 |
| 9 years | $-5,278 |
| 11 years | $-2,080 |
| 13 years | $1,118 |
| 15 years | $4,316 |
| 17 years | $7,514 |
| 19 years | $10,711 |
| 21 years | $13,909 |
| 23 years | $17,107 |
| 25 years | $20,305 |
Top Solar Installers in Mechanicsville
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous project, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Mechanicsville, thereby optimizing your ROI.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Mechanicsville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mechanicsville
There are many criteria 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 does the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important 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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,590 per kilowatt in Mechanicsville.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment goes beyond 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 searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Mechanicsville homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.It’s a good idea to add 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 off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $11,450 | 14.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $15,668 | 14.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $20,088 | 13.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $24,709 | 13.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $29,531 | 13.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $34,554 | 13.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $39,777 | 12.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $45,202 | 12.5 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 models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure you look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
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 Mechanicsville, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Mechanicsville?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 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 consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places 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 Mechanicsville?
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 long do solar panels last in Mechanicsville?
Even 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 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.