Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pulaski, VA (2023 Update)

  • Pulaski Solar Installation Cost: $15,227
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,713
  • Payback Period: 10.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pulaski

Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Pulaski.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Pulaski, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.75 per watt. Because a 7.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Pulaski, the average price of going solar will be about $15,227 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Pulaski homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With average savings of about $17,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Pulaski find going solar has a decent ROI.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Pulaski for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Pulaski

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-13,789
3 years $-10,914
5 years $-8,039
7 years $-5,164
9 years $-2,288
11 years $587
13 years $3,462
15 years $6,337
17 years $9,212
19 years $12,088
21 years $14,963
23 years $17,838
25 years $20,713

Top Solar Installers in Pulaski

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to use a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. The expertise that solar companies offer can be valuable as well, particularly if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.

If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't sure which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Pulaski:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Pulaski

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pulaski

Though the average cost of a solar system in Pulaski is $15,227, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,750. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Pulaski, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Pulaski, which can lower, 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 amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only 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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Pulaski is the company you get to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you'll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering 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 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 $15,261 11.0 years
8 kW $2.81 $15,708 $20,656 10.8 years
10 kW $2.75 $19,250 $26,205 10.6 years
12 kW $2.69 $22,638 $31,908 10.4 years
14 kW $2.64 $25,872 $37,766 10.2 years
16 kW $2.58 $28,952 $43,777 10.0 years
18 kW $2.53 $31,878 $49,942 9.7 years
20 kW $2.48 $34,650 $56,261 9.5 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:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of offerings before making your decision.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Pulaski, VA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pulaski?

The average cost of solar panels in Pulaski is about $13,750 for a 5-kW system and $27,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Pulaski?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to 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 bang for your buck from going solar.

How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Pulaski, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although 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 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.

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