Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Hill, VA (Mar 2023)
- South Hill Solar Installation Cost: $14,707
- 25-Year Savings: $24,142
- Payback Period: 9.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Hill
We go over average solar pricing in South Hill.
In South Hill, solar panels cost about 2.75 per watt on average. Since a 7.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in South Hill, the average price of going solar will be about $14,707 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. With average savings of about $19,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in South Hill find going solar can be quite rewarding.
To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installer in South Hill, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in South Hill
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,153 |
| 3 years | $-10,045 |
| 5 years | $-6,937 |
| 7 years | $-3,829 |
| 9 years | $-721 |
| 11 years | $2,387 |
| 13 years | $5,495 |
| 15 years | $8,603 |
| 17 years | $11,710 |
| 19 years | $14,818 |
| 21 years | $17,926 |
| 23 years | $21,034 |
| 25 years | $24,142 |
Top Solar Installers in South Hill
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Using an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Also, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar, using a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:
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 South Hill
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Hill
The cost of installing a solar system in South Hill can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant 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
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in South Hill, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,750 for each additional kilowatt you need. The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in South Hill to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in South Hill is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $18,515 | 9.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $24,995 | 9.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $31,629 | 9.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $38,417 | 9.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $45,358 | 9.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $52,454 | 8.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $59,704 | 8.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $67,108 | 8.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need plays a part 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 (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 South Hill, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South Hill?
The average cost of solar panels in South Hill 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 model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in South Hill?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to 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 financial benefits from going solar.
How will installing solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in South Hill?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.