See how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home in West Virginia
Our estimates used by
Solar power in West Virginia
Last fact-checked on January 19, 2023, by Catherine Lane
There is some room for improvement when it comes to solar power in West Virginia. There is very little in the way of state-based or utility-based incentives for installing solar. Also, there is no renewable portfolio standard, which is often what pushes utilities to create rebates for customers.
On the bright side, West Virginia has a mandatory net metering policy. West Virginia residents can also take advantage of the 26% federal tax credit.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in West Virginia
West Virginia solar power facts
$2.56 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?9 Years
Average payback time
$62,865
Average lifetime savings
?5¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
19¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?20,222 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 16.94kW system
This 16.94kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in West Virginia is $182, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
How much can solar panels save you in West Virginia
Average total cost of solar panel installation in West Virginia
| System Size | Cash purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $5,838 | $6,305 |
| 4kw | $7,476 | $8,074 |
| 5kw | $8,960 | $9,677 |
| 6kw | $10,248 | $11,068 |
| 7kw | $11,417 | $12,330 |
| 8kw | $12,432 | $13,427 |
| 9kw | $13,293 | $14,356 |
| 10kw | $14,000 | $15,120 |
How much do solar panels cost in West Virginia?
$2.56 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$4.06 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in West Virginia?
The advantage of installing solar panels in West Virginia is the state’s net metering policy. This means that residents who install a solar system on their home will receive compensation for excess generation their system produces.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in West Virginia is that there are no state or utility-based incentives. This means that West Virginia residents won’t be able to save as much as residents of other states.
However, the combination of full retail net metering and the 26% federal tax credit still creates the opportunity for great savings. The best time to make the switch to solar in West Virginia is now!
Best solar companies in West Virginia
Find local city information
Find local information for cities in West Virginia
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in West Virginia
How much electricity will solar panels produce in West Virginia
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Charleston area solar panels installed on a south-facing 30-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,285kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits, and other solar incentives are available in West Virginia?
Net metering in West Virginia
Solar, by its nature, generates the most power during the middle of the day when most people are at work or school and little power is being used in the home. The net metering policy in West Virginia mandates that for every surplus kilowatt hour (kWh) generated by solar (like the excess energy your system creates during the day) a utility must provide compensation at the retail rate of electricity.
Utilities provide compensation in the form of a kWh credit that can be carried over to future bills to offset costs of electricity. However, the credits cannot be applied to fixed costs, like demand charges.
West Virginia Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in West Virginia, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in West Virginia using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of how many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in West Virginia
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in West Virginia or Charleston ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this West Virginia solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in West Virginia
Check out all of the ways energy providers of West Virginia can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
