Solar Panel Cost Guide in Suffolk, VA (Feb 2023)
- Suffolk Solar Installation Cost: $14,553
- 25-Year Savings: $21,064
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Suffolk
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Suffolk.
The average cost of solar panels in Suffolk is $3 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Suffolk is around 7.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,553 for a solar installation, or $10,769 after the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
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 system you want, your solar contractor and more. With average savings of about $18,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Suffolk find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in Suffolk, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Suffolk
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,128 |
| 3 years | $-10,279 |
| 5 years | $-7,430 |
| 7 years | $-4,580 |
| 9 years | $-1,731 |
| 11 years | $1,119 |
| 13 years | $3,968 |
| 15 years | $6,817 |
| 17 years | $9,667 |
| 19 years | $12,516 |
| 21 years | $15,365 |
| 23 years | $18,215 |
| 25 years | $21,064 |
Top Solar Installers in Suffolk
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it takes extra energy and handiness. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your location and energy usage, but going with a solar installer can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Suffolk
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Suffolk
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Suffolk: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $2,750. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Suffolk 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 remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can impact how much you pay. Suffolk's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 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 | $16,243 | 10.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $21,966 | 10.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $27,842 | 10.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $33,873 | 10.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $40,057 | 9.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $46,396 | 9.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $52,888 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $59,535 | 9.2 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 challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
- Contract: Though 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 how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
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 Suffolk, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Suffolk?
The average cost of solar panels in Suffolk is about $13,750 for a 5-kW system and $27,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Suffolk, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you'll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in Suffolk?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much 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 continue to use 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.