Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Boston, VA (2024 Update)
- South Boston Solar Installation Cost: $19,215
- 25-Year Savings: $22,961
- Payback Period: 12.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Boston
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in South Boston.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in South Boston, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in South Boston, most homeowners require a 7.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $19,215, or $27,477 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average South Boston homeowner can save around $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in South Boston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-17,616 |
| 3 years | $-14,418 |
| 5 years | $-11,220 |
| 7 years | $-8,022 |
| 9 years | $-4,825 |
| 11 years | $-1,627 |
| 13 years | $1,571 |
| 15 years | $4,769 |
| 17 years | $7,967 |
| 19 years | $11,165 |
| 21 years | $14,363 |
| 23 years | $17,561 |
| 25 years | $20,758 |
Top Solar Installers in South Boston
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra effort and know-how. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Because solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in South Boston:
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 South Boston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Boston
For many South Boston homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in South Boston, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
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 consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,590 per kilowatt in South Boston.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the South Boston average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in South Boston to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you pick will affect your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $13,886 | 13.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $18,917 | 13.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $24,148 | 12.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $29,581 | 12.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $35,215 | 12.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $41,050 | 12.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $47,086 | 11.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $53,323 | 11.5 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most 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: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you need plays a role in which company you should go with, 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
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 South Boston, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South Boston?
The average cost of solar panels in South Boston is about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities 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.
How will installing solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.