Solar Panel Cost Guide in Montclair, VA (Mar 2023)
- Montclair Solar Installation Cost: $15,361
- 25-Year Savings: $21,439
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Montclair
We break down average solar pricing in Montclair.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Montclair, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.75 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Montclair, most homeowners require a 8.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $15,361, or $21,966 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will look different based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with. Even with the high initial cost, the average Montclair homeowner can save about $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Montclair that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Montclair
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,889 |
| 3 years | $-10,945 |
| 5 years | $-8,001 |
| 7 years | $-5,057 |
| 9 years | $-2,113 |
| 11 years | $831 |
| 13 years | $3,775 |
| 15 years | $6,719 |
| 17 years | $9,663 |
| 19 years | $12,607 |
| 21 years | $15,551 |
| 23 years | $18,495 |
| 25 years | $21,439 |
Top Solar Installers in Montclair
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Montclair, therefore optimizing your ROI.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Montclair
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Montclair
The cost of installing a solar system in Montclair can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need for your household, 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 brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a popular option because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Montclair homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Montclair is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into 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 | $15,671 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $21,203 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $26,889 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $32,728 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $38,722 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $44,870 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $51,172 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $57,627 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Montclair, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Montclair?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Montclair?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority 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 energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.