Solar Panel Cost Guide in Morgantown, WV (Aug 2022)
- Morgantown Solar Installation Cost: $22,603
- 25-Year Savings: $25,457
- Payback Period: 11.8 Years
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Updated 7/19/2022
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Morgantown
We break down average solar pricing in Morgantown.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Morgantown, the typical cost of a solar system is $3 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Morgantown is around 11.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $22,603 for a solar installation, or $16,726 after the federal solar tax credit 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 equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more. With average savings of about $16,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Morgantown find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Morgantown that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Morgantown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-20,681 |
| 3 years | $-16,836 |
| 5 years | $-12,991 |
| 7 years | $-9,146 |
| 9 years | $-5,302 |
| 11 years | $-1,457 |
| 13 years | $2,388 |
| 15 years | $6,233 |
| 17 years | $10,077 |
| 19 years | $13,922 |
| 21 years | $17,767 |
| 23 years | $21,612 |
| 25 years | $25,457 |
Top Solar Installers in Morgantown
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. The payback period of solar panels will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy needs, but going with a solar company can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Morgantown, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Morgantown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Morgantown
For many Morgantown homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Morgantown, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment Size
The size of the solar system you need is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $2,640. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Morgantown, where sunlight isn't as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Morgantown to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you pick will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.75 | $12,190 | $12,741 | 12.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.69 | $15,941 | $17,301 | 12.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.64 | $19,536 | $22,017 | 11.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.59 | $22,974 | $26,889 | 11.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.53 | $26,256 | $31,918 | 11.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.48 | $29,382 | $37,102 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.43 | $32,352 | $42,443 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.38 | $35,165 | $47,941 | 10.6 years |
Solar Incentives in Morgantown
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you hire.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Morgantown, WV Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Morgantown?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,200 for a 5-kW system and $26,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Morgantown is currently $213,843, so you could be looking at a value of about $8,768 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Morgantown is a rewarding investment.
How long do solar panels last in Morgantown?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.
