Solar Panel Cost Guide in Charleston, WV (2024 Update)
- Charleston Solar Installation Cost: $26,469
- 25-Year Savings: $28,276
- Payback Period: 13.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Charleston
We break down average solar pricing in Charleston.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Charleston, the typical cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Charleston, most homeowners require a 11.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $26,469, or $37,851 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will look different based on your energy needs and what company you want to go with.With typical savings of about $17,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Charleston find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Charleston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-24,844 |
| 3 years | $-21,592 |
| 5 years | $-18,341 |
| 7 years | $-15,090 |
| 9 years | $-11,838 |
| 11 years | $-8,587 |
| 13 years | $-5,336 |
| 15 years | $-2,084 |
| 17 years | $1,167 |
| 19 years | $4,418 |
| 21 years | $7,670 |
| 23 years | $10,921 |
| 25 years | $14,172 |
Top Solar Installers in Charleston
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Charleston, thereby optimizing your ROI.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Charleston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Charleston
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in Charleston: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Charleston, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,390 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is difficult, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Charleston homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Charleston, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting 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 car 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 | $3.53 | $14,808 | $11,490 | 14.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.46 | $19,364 | $15,700 | 13.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.39 | $23,730 | $20,099 | 13.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.32 | $27,906 | $24,689 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.25 | $31,893 | $29,468 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.19 | $35,690 | $34,437 | 12.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.12 | $39,297 | $39,596 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.05 | $42,714 | $44,945 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Charleston, WV Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Charleston?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,950 for a 5-kW system and $33,900 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 needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much 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 buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.