Solar Panel Cost Guide in Buckhannon, WV (2024 Update)
- Buckhannon Solar Installation Cost: $27,398
- 25-Year Savings: $24,875
- Payback Period: 14.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Buckhannon
We break down average solar pricing in Buckhannon.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Buckhannon it’s 3 per watt.The average Buckhannon homeowner needs a 11.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $27,398 with the federal tax credit, or $39,179 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Buckhannon can save about $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installer in Buckhannon, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Buckhannon
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-25,969 |
| 3 years | $-23,110 |
| 5 years | $-20,251 |
| 7 years | $-17,392 |
| 9 years | $-14,533 |
| 11 years | $-11,674 |
| 13 years | $-8,815 |
| 15 years | $-5,957 |
| 17 years | $-3,098 |
| 19 years | $-239 |
| 21 years | $2,620 |
| 23 years | $5,479 |
| 25 years | $8,338 |
Top Solar Installers in Buckhannon
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it requires extra labor and know-how. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for your family.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Buckhannon
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Buckhannon
For many Buckhannon homeowners, the decision to go solar comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Buckhannon, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Buckhannon, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,390 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Buckhannon, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular route because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Buckhannon homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Buckhannon 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.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting 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 | $9,207 | 15.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.46 | $19,364 | $12,655 | 15.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.39 | $23,730 | $16,294 | 14.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.32 | $27,906 | $20,122 | 14.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.25 | $31,893 | $24,140 | 14.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.19 | $35,690 | $28,348 | 13.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.12 | $39,297 | $32,746 | 13.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.05 | $42,714 | $37,334 | 13.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid 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 past customers.
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 Buckhannon, WV Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Buckhannon?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Buckhannon?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
How will installing solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably 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 a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.