Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sterling, VA (2023 Update)
- Sterling Solar Installation Cost: $15,650
- 25-Year Savings: $20,852
- Payback Period: 10.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sterling
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Sterling.
In Sterling, solar panels cost about 2.75 per watt on average. Since a 8.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Sterling, the average price of going solar will be about $15,650 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more. Despite the large initial cost, the average Sterling homeowner can save around $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sterling
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,190 |
| 3 years | $-11,270 |
| 5 years | $-8,350 |
| 7 years | $-5,430 |
| 9 years | $-2,510 |
| 11 years | $411 |
| 13 years | $3,331 |
| 15 years | $6,251 |
| 17 years | $9,171 |
| 19 years | $12,091 |
| 21 years | $15,011 |
| 23 years | $17,932 |
| 25 years | $20,852 |
Top Solar Installers in Sterling
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to use a solar company since installing a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for your home.
If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 Sterling
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sterling
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in Sterling: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why it's crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Typically, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Sterling, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Sterling homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Sterling, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut 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 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 | $14,942 | 11.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $20,230 | 10.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $25,673 | 10.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $31,270 | 10.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $37,020 | 10.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $42,925 | 10.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $48,984 | 9.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $55,196 | 9.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies offer different panels.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the total cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
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 Sterling, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sterling?
This is a tough 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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Sterling?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.