Solar Panel Cost Guide in Woodlawn, VA (Mar 2023)
- Woodlawn Solar Installation Cost: $15,515
- 25-Year Savings: $20,688
- Payback Period: 10.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Woodlawn
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Woodlawn.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Woodlawn it's 2.75 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Woodlawn, most homeowners require a 8.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $15,515, or $22,186 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Woodlawn, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Woodlawn
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,067 |
| 3 years | $-11,171 |
| 5 years | $-8,275 |
| 7 years | $-5,378 |
| 9 years | $-2,482 |
| 11 years | $414 |
| 13 years | $3,310 |
| 15 years | $6,207 |
| 17 years | $9,103 |
| 19 years | $11,999 |
| 21 years | $14,896 |
| 23 years | $17,792 |
| 25 years | $20,688 |
Top Solar Installers in Woodlawn
Installing solar panels on your own can be a challenging project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Local solar companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can take advantage of and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Woodlawn, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Woodlawn
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Woodlawn
There are a number of criteria that can influence your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,750. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Woodlawn average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Woodlawn, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can impact the cost. Woodlawn's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. 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 fits 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 | $14,928 | 11.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.81 | $15,708 | $20,212 | 10.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.75 | $19,250 | $25,650 | 10.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.69 | $22,638 | $31,242 | 10.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.64 | $25,872 | $36,988 | 10.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.58 | $28,952 | $42,888 | 10.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.53 | $31,878 | $48,942 | 9.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.48 | $34,650 | $55,150 | 9.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in Woodlawn, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panels, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Contract: Even 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 Woodlawn, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Woodlawn?
The average cost of solar panels in Woodlawn 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 certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Woodlawn?
You can't get solar panels for free in Woodlawn. However, you may still be able to get 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.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.