Solar Panel Cost Guide in Potomac Mills, VA (2025 Update)
- Potomac Mills Solar Installation Cost: $20,044
- 25-Year Savings: $21,447
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Potomac Mills
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Potomac Mills.
In Potomac Mills, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Potomac Mills, most homeowners require a 8.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $20,044, or $28,663 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in Potomac Mills based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in Potomac Mills for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Potomac Mills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,445 |
| 3 years | $-15,247 |
| 5 years | $-12,049 |
| 7 years | $-8,851 |
| 9 years | $-5,653 |
| 11 years | $-2,455 |
| 13 years | $743 |
| 15 years | $3,941 |
| 17 years | $7,138 |
| 19 years | $10,336 |
| 21 years | $13,534 |
| 23 years | $16,732 |
| 25 years | $19,930 |
Top Solar Installers in Potomac Mills
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Hiring an installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Another good thing about choosing a reliable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
There are several 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
See all of the solar companies in Potomac Mills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Potomac Mills
There are several criteria that can determine your solar system 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 significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,590 per kilowatt in Potomac Mills.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about 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
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable route because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Potomac Mills 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
The solar installation company you select will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Some companies 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 with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a 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 | $3.73 | $15,681 | $12,002 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $16,405 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $21,009 | 13.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $25,814 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $30,819 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $36,026 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $41,434 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $47,043 | 12.3 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:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to install plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Potomac Mills, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Potomac Mills?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Potomac Mills?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Potomac Mills. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is it worth going solar in Potomac Mills?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Potomac Mills?
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 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 keep using 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.