Solar Panel Cost Guide in Woodbridge, VA (Mar 2023)
- Woodbridge Solar Installation Cost: $15,361
- 25-Year Savings: $21,439
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Woodbridge
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Woodbridge.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Woodbridge generally cost around 2.75. Using this figure, a typical 8.0-kW system would cost about $15,361 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Woodbridge depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. Even with the large initial cost, the average Woodbridge homeowner can save about $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To get a free estimate from a vetted solar installer in Woodbridge, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Woodbridge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,889 |
| 3 years | $-10,945 |
| 5 years | $-8,001 |
| 7 years | $-5,057 |
| 9 years | $-2,113 |
| 11 years | $831 |
| 13 years | $3,775 |
| 15 years | $6,719 |
| 17 years | $9,663 |
| 19 years | $12,607 |
| 21 years | $15,551 |
| 23 years | $18,495 |
| 25 years | $21,439 |
Top Solar Installers in Woodbridge
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for your home.
Working with a professional solar installer 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 Woodbridge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Woodbridge
For many Woodbridge homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Woodbridge, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over 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. Because of that, it's important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Woodbridge provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Woodbridge homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Woodbridge is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you'll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is within your budget.
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 | $15,671 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $21,203 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $26,889 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $32,728 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $38,722 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $44,870 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $51,172 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $57,627 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar 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 what the project timeline is.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide 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 Woodbridge, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Woodbridge?
This is a tough 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 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 cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Woodbridge?
A solar panel system isn't free in Woodbridge, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.