Best Solar Companies in West Virginia

Getting solar in West Virginia can significantly lower your electricity rates, which are notably costly in the state because its population use more electricity on average. It will also lessen your dependency on utility corporations fueled by fossil fuels.

If you’re looking for the top solar businesses in West Virginia, you’ve probably already read a ton of reviews online for the best installers in the state. However, many of these ratings overlook important local elements that are essential to obtaining the finest panels for the location.

[aces-casinos-4 items_number=”10″ external_link=”1″ category=”201″ items_id=”” game_id=”” order=”DESC” orderby=”rating” title=””]

What are some ways to cut costs when enlisting the services of a solar company in West Virginia?

As compared to the national average of $2.66 per watt, the cost of solar panels in West Virginia is slightly lower at $2.64 per watt. To power your home, you will normally require a larger renewable energy system, which results in higher installation costs because the average West Virginian has higher energy consumption.

The average American builds a 9 kW photovoltaic system for $23,940, while the average West Virginian installs an 11 kW photovoltaic system for $29,040.

Yet, there are still ways to cut costs while installing solar in West Virginia, such as:

  • Taking advantage of solar incentives
  • Only installing as many panels as you need
  • Installing high-efficiency solar panels
  • Shopping around for the best solar quotes

Take Advantage of West Virginia Solar Incentives

West Virginians can benefit from the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which is the most advantageous financial incentive, with an estimated value of $8,712 on average. However, it is important to note that the ITC is not a rebate, but rather a deduction on your income taxes. This credit is applied to your income taxes in the year your solar system is installed. If you do not owe $8,712 in taxes that year, you can carry over the credit for up to five years.

Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC)

The federal government offers the solar tax credit as a motivation for homeowners to switch to solar energy. This credit is deducted from your federal tax liability and any unused credit can be carried over with certain limitations (explained later). The credit is equal to 30% of the total cost of your solar panel system. For West Virginia residents, who typically spend around $29,040 to install solar panels, the credit averages at $8,712.

Net Metering

Net metering is a billing policy that is required by the State of West Virginia and offered by utility companies. This policy enables homeowners to optimize their energy savings by potentially eliminating their electric bills. Essentially, excess energy production from times when your panels generate more energy than you consume can be used to offset the costs of incoming kilowatt-hours.

West Virginia Solar Rights

Despite the absence of solar subsidies, West Virginia has regulations in place to protect taxpayers’ rights to solar power. Every person has the legal right to set up solar panels and use the sun during prime hours according to these rules. A governing body, including homeowners associations, is not allowed to impede the installation of solar panels under the West Virginia Solar Rights Laws. No other building or business may block the panels from receiving sunlight, either.

Only Install As Many Panels As You Need

If you want to save money on your solar installation, consider installing fewer panels as you pay for solar on a per-watt basis.

To determine the system size needed, the average West Virginian’s monthly energy consumption is 1,066 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which translates to an 11 kW system. However, your energy needs may differ, so check your utility bills to estimate your monthly consumption and install only the necessary system size. For instance, if you use 800 kWh of electricity per month, an 8 kW system costing $21,120 would suffice.

Install High-Efficiency Solar Panels

Opting for the installation of high-performance panels, such as those offered by SunPower, presents an opportunity to cut costs. While these advanced panels may come with a higher price tag than their low-efficiency counterparts, their superior strength means that fewer panels are required to power your household.

In West Virginia, where the number of sunny days per year is only 164 (significantly lower than the national average of 205), high-efficiency panels are particularly crucial.

Shop Around For the Best Solar Quotes

West Virginia has been sluggish to adopt solar energy, with only installers situated there, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). There might be more solar businesses, albeit they aren’t local, that operate in the region. We advise requesting estimates from at least two of the businesses under consideration in order to get the best value for your solar panels. If a particular company’s quote is higher but you like them, you can leverage the lower quote to get a better price for your solar installation.

Can Solar Power Boost the Value of Your Home in West Virginia?

According to a report done in 2022 by EcoWatch, solar panels have been shown to increase a home’s value. In the poll, 1,000 homeowners were asked if they would be ready to pay more for a home with solar panels than one without. The results showed that 63% of them would.

Furthermore, a real estate company’s data analysis revealed that homes with solar panels sold for an average of 4% more than those without. This implies that homeowners in West Virginia, where the typical home costs $144,624, could potentially raise the value of their residence by $5,785.

The median home price in your neighborhood may have an impact on the actual growth in property value. For instance, the rise in your home’s worth would be closer to $7,200 if you lived in Charleston, where the typical home price is $179,933.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *