Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Shore, VA (2023 Update)
- North Shore Solar Installation Cost: $14,822
- 25-Year Savings: $23,306
- Payback Period: 9.7 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in North Shore
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in North Shore.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in North Shore it's 2.75 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.7-kW system would cost about $14,822 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in North Shore depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $19,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in North Shore for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in North Shore
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,297 |
| 3 years | $-10,247 |
| 5 years | $-7,197 |
| 7 years | $-4,146 |
| 9 years | $-1,096 |
| 11 years | $1,954 |
| 13 years | $5,005 |
| 15 years | $8,055 |
| 17 years | $11,105 |
| 19 years | $14,156 |
| 21 years | $17,206 |
| 23 years | $20,256 |
| 25 years | $23,306 |
Top Solar Installers in North Shore
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in North Shore
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Shore
For many North Shore homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in North Shore, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you're looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many North Shore homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in North Shore is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle 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 | $17,683 | 10.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $23,885 | 9.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $30,242 | 9.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $36,752 | 9.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $43,416 | 9.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $50,235 | 9.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $57,207 | 8.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $64,333 | 8.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's North Shore, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in North Shore?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in North Shore?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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.
How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?
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 $989.83 per year.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs 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.