There are so many things to love about becoming a homeowner. You get to have your own slice of land on which you can live and garden and raise a family. It also gives you the opportunity to invest in technology that can help you become more self-reliant and decrease your impact on the environment.
For those reasons, many homeowners decide to take the plunge into solar technology. If you’re new to the world of solar power, however, the transition can seem like a daunting task, especially when it comes to the financial investment. Read on to learn about the cost of solar panels in Virginia!
Choose Your System Size
There are a couple of different factors that determine the total cost of installing and operating a solar panel system. One of the major factors that go into this calculation is the size and number of panels you want to install.
System sizes are measured in kilowatts and generally range from 4kW to 10kW. Bigger kilowatt systems cost more to install overall, but they have a lower cost per watt.
For example, a 5kW system will cost around $10,000 to install and will run about $2.80 per watt. A 10kW system will cost around $19,000 to install, but the per-watt cost is $2.55.
It’s going to boil down to whether you want to be off the grid entirely and the amount of energy you’ll need to produce to run your entire home. Bigger homes will need bigger systems, but if they stay on the power grid, they can get away with a smaller system.
Choose Your Mount
Traditionally, homeowners mount their solar panels on the roof of their home. It’s the part of the home that gets the most exposure to direct sunlight and a natural choice for mounting. Still, some homeowners with significant amounts of land might choose to mount their solar panels on the ground.
Surprisingly, ground-mounted solar panels actually cost more to install than roof-mounted panels. On the other hand, you can install more panels and produce more energy with ground-mounted panels. You should speak to a local provider like Blue Raven Solar to learn whether ground-mounted panels are actually the best choice for your home’s needs.
Seek Out Incentives and Tax Credits
You don’t have to bear the burden of installing solar panels on your own. There are tons of tax credits and incentives that can make installing solar panels more affordable. For example, the federal solar tax credit gives homeowners a tax credit equal to 26% of the cost of the system.
Overall, to make a solar panel system worthwhile, you need to think long-term. It might cost a lot up-front, but you’ll be thanking yourself later!
The Cost of Solar Panels in Virginia? Worth It!
One of the biggest things that keeps Virginia homeowners from taking the plunge into solar tech is the cost of solar panels in Virginia. The truth is, there are a variety of sizes and mounting options that can make the investment worthwhile for a wide variety of Virginians. Remember to keep in mind that solar panels pay for themselves the longer you have them!
Powering your home is just one of the tasks that a homeowner needs to consider. If you’re looking for a bevy of articles that can help make homeownership easier, then you’re in the right place! Check out the rest of our blog for tons of great info!