Solar power in Charleston, West Virginia
Appalachian Power offers its Charleston solar customers a great net metering program.
Charleston residents can also take advantage of the federal solar tax credit. The tax credit is equal to 26% (in 2020) of the cost of a solar system and is applied to your federal income taxes. In some cases, you may be able to wipe out your entire tax bill for a year.
The combination of the federal tax credit and Appalachian Power’s net metering program can provide you with a great return on investment when installing a solar system in West Virginia.
Net Metering Broken Down
The utility will provide compensation for any excess generation a solar system produces in the form of a kilowatt hour (kWh) credit on the customer’s utility bill. These kWh credits are used to offset energy costs on future bills. This can lead to big savings on your electric bill, to the point where you could cancel out all of your electricity costs and eliminate nearly your entire bill!
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Charleston,
West Virginia in 2025 is
$2.44 per watt. The average system size
in the US is 6 kilowatts, which means the average price of a solar system
in Charleston, WV
is $12,200.
(after claiming 26% tax credit and other rebates)
The 26% federal solar tax credit explained
If you have a federal income tax liability, 26% of the cost of your solar system can be claimed as a deduction to your taxes. This incentive is claimed when you do your taxes. In order to receive the tax credit quicker it's best to do your taxes as soon as possible after installation.
What if my tax liability is less than 26% of my systems costThere is the option to claim this incentive over several years if your tax liability is less than 26% of the system cost.
How much will solar panels on my home save me?
The answer to this question depends on your electricity usage. Generally speaking the greater your power usage the greater the potential savings from installing solar.
The average monthly usage in West Virginia is only 1183kWh per month however, you are most likely using a lot more than this since this average includes condos and small apartments.
The Charleston solar panel savings calculator below will convert your monthly power spend into power usage (in kWh's) and then work out exactly how many solar panels you need to offset your usage, how much they will cost based on the prices of local solar companies and the amount you will save. Our West Virginia solar savings calculator can do this because it contains a database of the electric rates charged by Appalachian Power Co
How much can solar panels save you in Charleston
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 16.94kW solar system in Charleston, WV
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $182, however your situation may vary so try our Charleston solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$25,071
Net cost of system
9 Years 5 Months
Average payback time
20,222 kWh
Annual power production
5¢/kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
19¢/kWh
If you don't get solar
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 16.94kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$60,896
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Charleston
| System Size |
Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,172 | $6,665 |
| 4kw | $7,903 | $8,535 |
| 5kw | $9,472 | $10,230 |
| 6kw | $10,834 | $11,700 |
| 7kw | $12,069 | $13,035 |
| 8kw | $13,142 | $14,194 |
| 9kw | $14,053 | $15,177 |
| 10kw | $14,800 | $15,984 |
Find out what system size you need for your home
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 Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
