Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Boston, VA (2024 Update)
- South Boston Solar Installation Cost: $19,215
- 25-Year Savings: $22,961
- Payback Period: 12.7 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Boston
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in South Boston.
In South Boston, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Because a 7.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in South Boston, the average price of going solar will be about $19,215 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average South Boston homeowners see about $19,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in South Boston
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-17,616 |
3 years | $-14,418 |
5 years | $-11,220 |
7 years | $-8,022 |
9 years | $-4,825 |
11 years | $-1,627 |
13 years | $1,571 |
15 years | $4,769 |
17 years | $7,967 |
19 years | $11,165 |
21 years | $14,363 |
23 years | $17,561 |
25 years | $20,758 |
Top Solar Installers in South Boston
When going solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installation company since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. Solar warranties and repairs are typically included in the cost of installation when you opt for a solar company too, which can save you more money after your upfront investment.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- 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 South Boston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Boston
The cost of installing a solar system in South Boston can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the South Boston average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in South Boston to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for South Boston homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
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 South Boston, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $13,886 | 13.3 years |
8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $18,917 | 13.0 years |
10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $24,148 | 12.7 years |
12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $29,581 | 12.5 years |
14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $35,215 | 12.2 years |
16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $41,050 | 12.0 years |
18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $47,086 | 11.7 years |
20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $53,323 | 11.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in South Boston, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, make sure you look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you go with.
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's South Boston, VA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South Boston?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in South Boston is currently $128,843, so you can look forward to a value of about $5,283 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in South Boston is a worthwhile investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption 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 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.