Solar Panels Cost $12k-$23k in Virginia | June, 2025

Electricity Costs in Virginia & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

Virginia energy consumers generally use 1,061 kWh monthly, with an average monthly bill of $155.54. Keep in mind that this number encompasses apartments and smaller homes with usually reduced energy consumption.

For June 2025, Virginia's average electricity rate amounts to 14.66¢ per kWh.

The average energy consumer in Virginia needs 9 kW or larger solar setup to meet their full electricity demands. Presently, 9 kW solar system costs $23,121 after deducting the 30% federal income tax credit.

Are solar panels worth it in Virginia?

If you intend to reside in your home beyond the payback period of your solar system, solar panels are an obvious choice in Virginia. Having a 5 kW solar system in Virginia can potentially save you approximately $24,484.55 over a span of 20 years, with an average break even point of 7 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Virginia

Without solar panels or another backup power source, you lose out on the previously noted savings and are entirely dependent on your electric utility for electricity. As recent news articles have pointed out, total reliance on your utility provider isn't always ideal.

Each year, the utilities in Virginia have recorded about 1.77 outages per customer. Outages typically last for an average of 161.57 minutes. Major occurrences like vandalism, equipment failure or hurricanes can lead to a significant rise in these time frames.

Take a look at the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Virginia.

Regardless of whether a backup battery is present, a solar panel system could reduce the impact of future power outages you might experience.

What impacts the cost of solar panels in Virginia?

Your Energy Needs -When opting for larger solar panel systems, the overall expense is larger; however, the cost per watt diminishes with an increase in system size. Setting up a solar panel system that can cover the electric bill is useful to consumers because of the reduced long-term costs.

Make & Model - There are a range of makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment. Because the installer you select might have specific system preferences, selecting a highly rated contractor is even more important. The employment of high-quality materials is probably will yield a more positive long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - It's not surprising that monocrystalline panels are now the industry standard. They are associated with a higher price, but they provide more energy. Most solar panel installers choose this kind of material.

Your Property - Things like trees, sloping terrain, or other impediments may cause the installation to be more challenging. By using satellite imagery, solar installers can now assess your home and factor in these factors into the first cost estimate.

Labor Rates - The varying wages that companies offer their employees lead to costs that are inevitably passed on to consumers. Companies often garner higher reviews for their services and customer service when they pay higher wages.

Permitting & Interconnection - Permitting and utility interconnection fees differ locally and will impact your installation cost. Experienced local installers will include these figures in your initial estimates to ensure transparency.