Solar Panel Cost Guide in Stuarts Draft, VA (2023 Update)
- Stuarts Draft Solar Installation Cost: $15,150
- 25-Year Savings: $20,666
- Payback Period: 10.6 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Stuarts Draft
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Stuarts Draft.
The average cost of a solar system in Stuarts Draft is 2.75 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.9-kW system would cost about $15,150 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Stuarts Draft homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Despite the large initial cost, the average Stuarts Draft homeowner can save about $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Stuarts Draft
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,717 |
| 3 years | $-10,852 |
| 5 years | $-7,987 |
| 7 years | $-5,121 |
| 9 years | $-2,256 |
| 11 years | $609 |
| 13 years | $3,474 |
| 15 years | $6,339 |
| 17 years | $9,205 |
| 19 years | $12,070 |
| 21 years | $14,935 |
| 23 years | $17,800 |
| 25 years | $20,666 |
Top Solar Installers in Stuarts Draft
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for you.
Working with a licensed solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Stuarts Draft
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Stuarts Draft
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Stuarts Draft: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar 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 assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get 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 over time on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Stuarts Draft average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Stuarts Draft homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. It's wise to include the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Stuarts Draft, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally 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 additional 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 | $15,299 | 11.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $20,706 | 10.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $26,268 | 10.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $31,983 | 10.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $37,853 | 10.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $43,876 | 9.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $50,054 | 9.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $56,385 | 9.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Stuarts Draft, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Stuarts Draft?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally 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 higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Stuarts Draft?
You can't get solar panels for free in Stuarts Draft. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Stuarts Draft is currently $192,261, which means you can expect a value of about $7,883 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Stuarts Draft is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.