There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
Thankfully, West Virginia lawmakers have not screwed up net metering for home solar... yet. Net metering makes sure your utility credits you for the excess power you produce with your solar panels and send back into the grid.
The state’s Public Utility Commission reaffirmed its support for solar credit netting in mid-2019, so there’s hope for a strong foundation to bank your solar credits when you aren't using them further into this new decade.
Since prices for solar equipment and installation are falling all over the world, home solar here pays itself back 6 years faster than it did this time last year. That's something to celebrate, so if you're still thinking about solar in the Mountain State, read on to find out all about the financial ins and outs!
Learn what solar incentives are available to West Virginia homeowners
See what West Virginia solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or West Virginia solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in West Virginia
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume, and make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Fortunately, West Virginia requires all utilities to offer net metering. All monthly surplus energy production is applied to your next bill. Unused credits can be rolled ever perpetually, and unlike many other states, they do not ever have to be surrendered back to the utility. That’s a really solid net metering program. The only thing we want to see changed is the elimination of liability insurance requirements for small residential systems.
Hopefully, this strong net metering policy continues into the future. We recommend going solar sooner rather than later here to make sure you get enrolled into this program while it still exists.
While West Virginia does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers like LG offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually time sensitive. For example, LG offers a $600 solar rebate on their equipment, which your installer can help you redeem over the next year.
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Prices based on a 9.7kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
3 solar companies in West Virginia provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
3.93 2 Reviews
Barbara L, over 1 month
Me and my husband purchased a 27kW American Made solar system from Nick and his company Vector Energy about 6 months ago. The cost was $50,000 before all of the incentives. I got back $13,000 the first year from government. The system was so big that Potomac Edison had to upgrade my transformer which Nick took care of for us! Nick made sure everything was going smooth during the whole install. It took about 2.5 months due to service upgrades. My roof looks like an edge to edge piece of black glass now. Looks very futuristic. A few of our friends have solar and their systems have rails and conduit/wires showing. My solar system the only thing you see is the black floating panels. No rails or conduit showing at all. I was very impressed. So far my power bill is negative! Next up is installing batteries for full home back up. Thats another thing I liked about their technology is that it is modular so we can add more panels or batteries at any time without redoing everything. Their systems are also American made equipment which means a lot to me. They gave us warranties on every part of the system for 25 years. From what I researched this system should last at least 40-50 years easy. Im very happy with my service from Nick and Vector Energy. I wish there were more young people like him in this world. I Think he will change a lot of lives. Thanks Vector Energy!!
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Barbara L, over 1 month
Me and my husband purchased a 27kW American Made solar system from Nick and his company Vector Energy about 6 months ago. The cost was $50,000 before all of the incentives. I got back $13,000 the first year from government. The system was so big that Potomac Edison had to upgrade my transformer which Nick took care of for us! Nick made sure everything was going smooth during the whole install. It took about 2.5 months due to service upgrades. My roof looks like an edge to edge piece of black glass now. Looks very futuristic. A few of our friends have solar and their systems have rails and conduit/wires showing. My solar system the only thing you see is the black floating panels. No rails or conduit showing at all. I was very impressed. So far my power bill is negative! Next up is installing batteries for full home back up. Thats another thing I liked about their technology is that it is modular so we can add more panels or batteries at any time without redoing everything. Their systems are also American made equipment which means a lot to me. They gave us warranties on every part of the system for 25 years. From what I researched this system should last at least 40-50 years easy. Im very happy with my service from Nick and Vector Energy. I wish there were more young people like him in this world. I Think he will change a lot of lives. Thanks Vector Energy!!
3.75 2 Reviews
Mark Diehl, over 1 month
Rare is the company these days that provides such competent services From start to finish, MTVsolar was professional at every step. They set clear expectations and delivered the project milestones as promised ... and on time! Especially impressive was the thorough and timely manner in which they COMMUNICATED with me, from project start to finish. No question was too small and every detail was covered. What isn't reflected in the price is the invaluable FREE education that one gets -- from every MTVsolar team member encountered. I couldn't recommend MTVsolar more highly.
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Mark Diehl, over 1 month
Rare is the company these days that provides such competent services From start to finish, MTVsolar was professional at every step. They set clear expectations and delivered the project milestones as promised ... and on time! Especially impressive was the thorough and timely manner in which they COMMUNICATED with me, from project start to finish. No question was too small and every detail was covered. What isn't reflected in the price is the invaluable FREE education that one gets -- from every MTVsolar team member encountered. I couldn't recommend MTVsolar more highly.
3.75 3 Reviews
mlofgren, over 1 month
Doyle and his team did a fantastic job installing our solar system about six months ago. This is a vacation home for us, but was still averaging $140-$150 a month in electric cost. After the solar system was up and running? We have averaged about $5-6 a month! When we are here on a full time basis, our electric bill can and generally is around $400. Very large home, but this year our bill has been $98. What a fantastic difference and the payback will be much shorter than we anticipated. The system LOOKS great as well - very professional installation! We're having them back to install a system for our detached garage. Amazing!
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mlofgren, over 1 month
Doyle and his team did a fantastic job installing our solar system about six months ago. This is a vacation home for us, but was still averaging $140-$150 a month in electric cost. After the solar system was up and running? We have averaged about $5-6 a month! When we are here on a full time basis, our electric bill can and generally is around $400. Very large home, but this year our bill has been $98. What a fantastic difference and the payback will be much shorter than we anticipated. The system LOOKS great as well - very professional installation! We're having them back to install a system for our detached garage. Amazing!