Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Falls Church, VA (2024 Update)
- West Falls Church Solar Installation Cost: $20,263
- 25-Year Savings: $20,682
- Payback Period: 14.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Falls Church
Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in West Falls Church.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in West Falls Church, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average West Falls Church homeowner needs a 8.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $20,263 with the federal tax credit, or $28,976 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in West Falls Church depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With average savings of about $17,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in West Falls Church find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in West Falls Church that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in West Falls Church
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-18,664 |
3 years | $-15,466 |
5 years | $-12,268 |
7 years | $-9,070 |
9 years | $-5,872 |
11 years | $-2,674 |
13 years | $524 |
15 years | $3,722 |
17 years | $6,919 |
19 years | $10,117 |
21 years | $13,315 |
23 years | $16,513 |
25 years | $19,711 |
Top Solar Installers in West Falls Church
Putting up solar panels on your own can be a difficult undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in West Falls Church, optimizing your ROI.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost 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
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 West Falls Church
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Falls Church
While the average cost of a solar system in West Falls Church is $20,263, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
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 West Falls Church.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like West Falls Church, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you opt for to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating throughout West Falls Church, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have 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 | $3.73 | $15,681 | $11,259 | 14.6 years |
8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $15,414 | 14.3 years |
10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $19,770 | 14.0 years |
12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $24,327 | 13.7 years |
14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $29,085 | 13.4 years |
16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $34,045 | 13.2 years |
18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $39,205 | 12.9 years |
20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $44,566 | 12.6 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. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 West Falls Church, VA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in West Falls Church?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in West Falls Church?
A solar panel system isn’t free in West Falls Church, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in West Falls Church is currently $668,951, so you can expect a value of about $27,427 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in West Falls Church is a rewarding investment.
How long do solar panels last in West Falls Church?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 higher 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.