Solar Panel Cost Guide in Williamsburg, KY (2024 Update)

  • Williamsburg Solar Installation Cost: $24,504
  • 25-Year Savings: $23,026
  • Payback Period: 15.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Williamsburg

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Williamsburg.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Williamsburg it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Williamsburg is around 9.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $24,504 for a solar installation, or $35,041 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

How much you pay can be above or below the average in Williamsburg depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With typical savings of about $15,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Williamsburg find investing in solar has a decent ROI.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Williamsburg for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Williamsburg

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-23,125
3 years $-20,367
5 years $-17,609
7 years $-14,852
9 years $-12,094
11 years $-9,336
13 years $-6,578
15 years $-3,821
17 years $-1,063
19 years $1,695
21 years $4,453
23 years $7,211
25 years $9,968

Top Solar Installers in Williamsburg

Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra effort and handiness. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Solar warranties and repairs are usually included in the cost of installation when you go with a solar company too, which can save you more money after your initial investment.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Williamsburg

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Williamsburg

The cost of installing a solar system in Williamsburg can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel 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, your total will most likely increase by about $3,650. The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Williamsburg average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a popular route because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of 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 original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Williamsburg is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $3.80 $15,943 $8,290 16.4 years
8 kW $3.72 $20,849 $11,462 16.1 years
10 kW $3.65 $25,550 $14,838 15.8 years
12 kW $3.58 $30,047 $18,419 15.5 years
14 kW $3.50 $34,339 $22,205 15.2 years
16 kW $3.43 $38,427 $26,194 14.9 years
18 kW $3.36 $42,311 $30,388 14.5 years
20 kW $3.29 $45,990 $34,787 14.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose considerably impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Williamsburg, KY Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Williamsburg?

The average cost of solar panels in Williamsburg is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Williamsburg?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable 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.

How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Williamsburg, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires 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 household 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.

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