Cost of Solar Panels in West Virginia: Local Solar Installation Prices (2022)
Here’s a quick look at the estimated cost of solar in West Virginia:
- Average Cost Per Watt: $2.64
- Cost of Average System: $21,490*
- Cost of Energy Without Solar: $48,933
- Payback Period: 13 Years**
- Lifetime Savings of Going Solar: $19,893
*Average system size is calculated using data from the Energy Information Administration. This price is after tax credit.
**Payback period is calculated assuming the system is purchased in cash.
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Find Cost Savings on Solar in West Virginia
As a homeowner in West Virginia, you may be wondering: How much do solar panels cost in your area? In this article, we’ll discuss the average cost of a solar installation, how much that can save you on energy for your home and what incentives are available in your region. If you want to jump straight to getting a quote for an installation, you can follow the links below to speak with a verified professional.
Nationwide Service
Average cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market -
National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Most efficient panels on the market 
Expensive Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring
Solar Panels 
Regional Service
Average cost
YellowLite
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Representatives are experts on local policies
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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Full-service home energy solutions
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No leases or PPAs
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Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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System Monitoring
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General Contracting
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Maintenance & Repairs
Regional Service
Average cost
Paradise Energy Solutions
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Outstanding customer service
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Many years of experience
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Great warranty coverage
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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No leases or PPAs
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Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
Cost of Solar Panels in West Virginia
The average cost of solar panels in West Virginia is $2.64 per watt, which is slightly less than the national average of $2.66 per watt.
According to our data and market research, the average West Virginia homeowner will install an 11-kilowatt (kW) solar panel system to offset the typical monthly energy bill of $124.1 Plugging the figure above into our solar calculator, it would cost about $29,040 for a solar panel installation in West Virginia, or $21,490 after factoring in the 26% federal solar tax credit.
Solar Panel System Installation Cost in West Virginia
Because the cost of solar panels is measured per watt, the size of your solar system will play the greatest role in affecting the cost of your solar panel installation in West Virginia. Based on internal data and market research, we’ve estimated that a solar panel installation in West Virginia would cost between $21,000 and $37,000 on average, depending on how many solar panels you need to install. However, these figures are before applying any tax incentives or solar rebates that may lower your cost.
The table below shows the average prices for the different solar panel system sizes in West Virginia before and after the solar investment tax credit (ITC):
| Size of Solar Panel System | West Virginia Solar Panel Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
| 8 kW | $21,120 | $15,629 |
| 9 kW | $23,760 | $17,582 |
| 10 kW | $26,400 | $19,536 |
| 11 kW | $29,040 | $21,490 |
| 12 kW | $31,680 | $23,443 |
| 13 kW | $34,320 | $25,397 |
| 14 kW | $36,960 | $27,350 |
Interested to see our top picks for best solar companies in West Virginia? We vetted all of the solar companies serving West Virginia to find the most reputable ones that offer affordable, high-quality solar energy systems. Click here to learn more.
What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in West Virginia?
We know that the average cost of solar power in West Virginia may seem expensive for many homeowners. But, know that the cost of a solar panel installation can vary depending on several factors, including the size of your roof and how much direct sunlight it receives.
Let’s look at some of the top determining factors of solar panel costs in West Virginia:
Solar Equipment
As seen in the chart above, the size of your solar panel system will play the biggest role in determining how much a solar panel installation costs in West Virginia. You may choose to install a smaller solar photovoltaic (PV) system to save money, but remember that you’ll see the biggest (and quickest) return on investment if you install a solar PV system big enough to power most of your home. The more power you generate, the lower the electric bills you’ll receive from your utility company.
It’s not just the size, but the brand and type of solar panel you install that will change the price tag. If you want the highest energy efficiency, you may want SunPower solar panels. However — as with anything else — you’ll pay more for higher-quality equipment.
You’ll also want to consider any add-on features when determining the cost of home solar panels. It’s not just panels, but solar arrays and inverters that you’ll need to install. Costs can vary if you’re installing rooftop solar or a standalone system. West Virginia is no stranger to severe storms, so you might be interested in adding solar batteries for energy storage for power outages, which will drive up the upfront cost of your system. Most companies will offer a variety of battery storage options — like the Tesla Powerwall or Generac PWRcell — that come with different price tags.
Solar Financing
As is the case with most big purchases, the way you choose to pay for your solar panels will affect the overall cost of your clean energy project. For instance, if you take on a solar loan with a high interest rate, you’ll end up paying a lot more in the long run. But if you pay more, or all, of the cost of solar panel installation upfront, you’ll have less interest on the back end.
We know it’s a big cost, but we recommend purchasing as much as you can up front to maximize your savings. We don’t suggest our readers enter into solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) unless as a last resort, as you won’t be able to capitalize on all of the renewable energy incentives available if you don’t own your panels.
Solar Installation Company
As mentioned earlier, different solar installation companies will offer different equipment brands that can alter the cost of your overall solar panel installation. There are a handful of solar installers in West Virginia, and we’ve already vetted the top five best solar companies working in the state (see our review here). We suggest shopping around to get multiple quotes to find the best value solar panel system for your home.
West Virginia Solar Incentives
West Virginia is not one of the top states for solar. In fact, it’s currently ranked near the bottom, at 48th in the nation for solar installations.2 However, more and more West Virginians seem to be realizing the pros of going solar, because residential solar installations are on the rise in the Mountain state.3
Whether you’re interested in installing solar panels to lower your utility bills, have energy independence or because you want to rely on a clean energy source, we want to make sure you’re taking advantage of all of the incentives available to lower the cost of going solar in West Virginia. Here’s an overview of some of West Virginia’s solar programs:
| West Virginia Solar Incentive | How it Affects the Cost of Solar Panels in West Virginia |
| Net Metering | The state of West Virginia requires all utilities to offer net metering. As the law stands, solar users will be credited for each kilowatt produced by their system. Each month, they’ll be billed for the number of kilowatt-hours they used, minus the number of kilowatt-hours they generated.4 |
| Federal Solar Tax Credit | The solar investment tax credit (ITC) allows solar adopters to claim 26% of their total solar equipment and installation costs as a tax credit on their next federal filing. The 26% credit is in effect for any solar project purchased in 2022. However, the tax credit is set to decrease to 22% in 2023 and disappear completely for residential systems in 2024 if it’s not extended by the federal government. |
| Local Rebates & Incentives | While West Virginia doesn’t offer many incentives specifically for solar, some utilities offer rebates for customers who make energy-efficient upgrades. We recommend checking the DSIRE database to see what your utility offers. |
| West Virginia Solar Rights | The state passed a law in 2012 that restricts homeowners associations (HOAs) from forbidding solar energy systems on homes. However, HOA members may vote to remove this restriction.5 |
Best Solar Panel Brands and Installed Solar System Costs in 2022
As we mentioned, the brand of solar equipment you install will play a huge role in the cost of your solar panel installation in West Virginia. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best and most commonly used solar panel brands.
| Solar Panel Brand | Average Cost Per Watt ($-$$$$$) |
| LG Solar | $$$ |
| Canadian Solar | $$ |
| JA Solar | $$ |
| Mission Solar | $$ |
| Panasonic | $$ |
| Q Cells | $$ |
| REC | $$$ |
| Silfab | $$$ |
| SunPower | $$$$$ |
| Tesla | $$ |
| Trina Solar | $$$ |
People Also Ask
EcoWatch FAQ: Solar Panel Cost West Virginia
We routinely see questions about solar panels from West Virginia readers. Here are the most common queries we receive and our answers:
The average cost of solar panels in West Virginia is $2.64 per watt, which puts the average 11-kilowatt home solar system in West Virginia at $29,040. Installing a solar system in West Virginia also qualifies for the 26% federal tax credit, which would give you an additional savings of about $7,550.
Yes, installing solar panels will likely increase the value of your home, as data from Zillow shows that solar boosts property value as much as 4.1%.5 However, this only applies if you own your solar panels and not if you have a solar lease.
We always recommend buying solar panels when feasible. We know it’s an expensive upfront cost, but you can’t take advantage of many solar benefits — like the solar tax credit and boosted real estate value — if you don’t own your solar panels. Check out the different ways to finance your solar panels to get a good deal on solar panels.
If free solar panels sound too good to be true, it’s because they are. Companies that offer “free solar panels” in West Virginia are typically offering solar leases or power purchase agreements, which often end up being impractical choices for most homeowners. Many companies that advertise free solar panels are using deceptive marketing techniques to make a sale and are not actually interested in helping you reap all the benefits of going solar. If a company approaches you about free solar panels, run the other way.
Yes, it’s entirely possible that installing solar panels on your West Virginia property could eliminate your energy bills through the process of net metering. However, you would probably need a solar system of at least 11 kW to fully offset the cost of energy.
This question is hard to answer without knowing the specifics of your home, including your electricity usage and the amount of direct sunlight your roof receives. To accurately assess what size solar power system is right for your home, you’ll need to get a professional assessment from a reputable solar company. The good news is that most solar companies offer free assessments, and you can enter your zip code at the top of this page to get connected with solar installers near you.
