WEST VIRGINIA
Solar in West Virginia
Did you know that West Virginia experiences about 164 sun-filled days each year?* Each day with sunshine can contribute to a significant amount of solar energy if you install solar panels on your home or business.
Surveys have found that a remarkable 82% of buildings in the Mountain State are prime candidates for solar energy. If all property owners of these solar-viable buildings used them for that purpose, they could produce about 3.3 million MWh of solar electricity per year.*
The state could produce enough solar energy using rooftop panels to account for over 23% of its total electricity needs. However, West Virginia has been on the slow side when it comes to “going solar.”
Solar potential in West Virginia?
West Virginia has significant potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 4.6 hours of sunlight per day, which is well above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that West Virginia has a good potential for solar energy generation.
As of the first quarter of 2021, West Virginia generates 12.5 MW of solar power, accounting for 0.03% of the state’s electricity.* However, the Public Service Commission of West Virginia recently approved a 90-megawatt solar farm worth $90 million in Raleigh County, along with other solar projects, so the state’s solar future looks promising.
Cost of solar in West Virginia?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include the:
Weather
Angle of the roof
Quality of the solar panels
Roof space
In West Virginia, we found that on average an investment of $13,850 to $14,550 ($2.77 to $2.91 per watt) allows you to get a 5 kW solar system. And that’s before considering the benefits of any tax credits or incentives.
The cost of solar panels and other equipment has dropped 43% over the last five years, so now is an excellent time to go solar.* West Virginians can participate in several state and federal incentives and rebates to drop solar system costs further, such as the 30% West Virginia state residential tax credit.*
Net metering is another way West Virginians can save money when they embrace clean energy. The state requires all utility companies to offer net metering to its customers who produce a surplus of electricity. This means that when solar system owners produce more solar energy than they need, they can actually profit from it by selling their excess power to the utility company. In return, customers will earn credits on utility bills that roll over each month.*
When filing federal income taxes, new solar system owners can claim the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit.*The tax credit covers a percentage of a solar system as long as it is new or used for the first time during the tax year its owner claims the credit.
Advantages?
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of \$15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy. It does not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy can also help to make West Virginia a more sustainable state.
Job creation: The solar industry is a growing industry in West Virginia. The industry employs thousands of people in the state, and it is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
Self-reliance: Solar panels can help you become more self-reliant on energy. This can be a valuable asset in the event of a power outage.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
West Virginia state policies?
Net metering: West Virginia has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to their utility company at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemptions: West Virginia exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $15,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $15,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs): West Virginia offers Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Rebate: The state of West Virginia offers a rebate of up to $5,000 for homeowners who install solar panels. The rebate is available for systems that are installed on single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes.
Tax credit: The federal government offers a tax credit of 26% for the cost of installing solar panels. The tax credit is available for systems that are installed on homes and businesses.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in West Virginia? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in West Virginia, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!