Solar Panel Cost Guide in Moundsville, WV (2024 Update)
- Moundsville Solar Installation Cost: $27,156
- 25-Year Savings: $28,969
- Payback Period: 13.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Moundsville
We break down average solar pricing in Moundsville.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Moundsville, the average cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.Since a 11.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Moundsville, the average price of going solar will be about $27,156 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in Moundsville depending on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.Even with the high initial cost, the average Moundsville homeowner can save around $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in Moundsville for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Moundsville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,480 |
| 3 years | $-22,128 |
| 5 years | $-18,776 |
| 7 years | $-15,424 |
| 9 years | $-12,072 |
| 11 years | $-8,721 |
| 13 years | $-5,369 |
| 15 years | $-2,017 |
| 17 years | $1,335 |
| 19 years | $4,687 |
| 21 years | $8,039 |
| 23 years | $11,391 |
| 25 years | $14,743 |
Top Solar Installers in Moundsville
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels yourself can be hard. The expertise that solar companies provide can be valuable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're searching for a solar company in Moundsville, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Moundsville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Moundsville
For many Moundsville homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Moundsville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,390 per kilowatt in Moundsville.The brand and kind of equipment you want 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 a small roof 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 additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Moundsville to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of 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 can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panels can affect your pricing. Moundsville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $11,469 | 14.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.46 | $19,364 | $15,672 | 13.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.39 | $23,730 | $20,064 | 13.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.32 | $27,906 | $24,646 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.25 | $31,893 | $29,419 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.19 | $35,690 | $34,381 | 12.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.12 | $39,297 | $39,532 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.05 | $42,714 | $44,874 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Moundsville, WV Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Moundsville?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, 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 cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Moundsville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage 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 install 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.