Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gainesville, VA (2024 Update)

  • Gainesville Solar Installation Cost: $20,044
  • 25-Year Savings: $21,447
  • Payback Period: 13.6 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 Gainesville

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Gainesville.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Gainesville it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Gainesville, most homeowners require a 8.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $20,044, or $28,663 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Gainesville homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $18,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Gainesville find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Gainesville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-18,445
3 years $-15,247
5 years $-12,049
7 years $-8,851
9 years $-5,653
11 years $-2,455
13 years $743
15 years $3,941
17 years $7,138
19 years $10,336
21 years $13,534
23 years $16,732
25 years $19,930

Top Solar Installers in Gainesville

When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installation company since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, especially if you aren’t sure what type of solar equipment you need.

If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Gainesville, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

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 Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

See all of the solar companies in Gainesville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gainesville

Although the average cost of a solar system in Gainesville is $20,044, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important 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 pay around $3,590 per kilowatt in Gainesville.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Gainesville homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, 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 above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Gainesville, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $3.73 $15,681 $12,002 14.2 years
8 kW $3.66 $20,506 $16,405 13.9 years
10 kW $3.59 $25,130 $21,009 13.6 years
12 kW $3.52 $29,553 $25,814 13.3 years
14 kW $3.45 $33,775 $30,819 13.1 years
16 kW $3.37 $37,796 $36,026 12.8 years
18 kW $3.30 $41,615 $41,434 12.5 years
20 kW $3.23 $45,234 $47,043 12.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you go with will influence not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, including:

  • Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, be sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
  • 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.

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 Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Gainesville, VA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Gainesville?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Gainesville?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Gainesville. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

How will having solar panels impact my home value?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

How long do solar panels last in Gainesville?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.

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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