Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Charleston, WV (2024 Update)

  • South Charleston Solar Installation Cost: $26,469
  • 25-Year Savings: $28,276
  • Payback Period: 13.5 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 South Charleston

Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in South Charleston.

The average cost of a solar panel system in South Charleston is 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 11.2-kW system would cost about $26,469 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in South Charleston see about $17,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

To receive a free quote from a top solar installation company in South Charleston, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in South Charleston

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-24,844
3 years $-21,592
5 years $-18,341
7 years $-15,090
9 years $-11,838
11 years $-8,587
13 years $-5,336
15 years $-2,084
17 years $1,167
19 years $4,418
21 years $7,670
23 years $10,921
25 years $14,172

Top Solar Installers in South Charleston

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Using a solar panel installer can make switching to solar power much easier. Companies can also provide access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your home.

Working with a licensed solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:

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 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 South Charleston

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Charleston

For many South Charleston homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in South Charleston, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like South Charleston, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in South Charleston have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.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 finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in South Charleston is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car 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 $11,490 14.1 years
8 kW $3.46 $19,364 $15,700 13.8 years
10 kW $3.39 $23,730 $20,099 13.5 years
12 kW $3.32 $27,906 $24,689 13.3 years
14 kW $3.25 $31,893 $29,468 13.0 years
16 kW $3.19 $35,690 $34,437 12.7 years
18 kW $3.12 $39,297 $39,596 12.5 years
20 kW $3.05 $42,714 $44,945 12.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar company you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:

  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you’d like plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.

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 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 South Charleston, WV Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Charleston?

The average cost of solar panels in South Charleston is about $16,950 for a 5-kW system and $33,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?

The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Is going solar worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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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