A real cost breakdown for a typical 6kW system in Virginia, not just a national $/watt figure.
Virginia has a fairly typical electricity rate nationally at approximately $0.14/kWh, and a solid, average solar resource at 4.5 peak sun hours a day. Combined with a regional installed-cost estimate of $2.70/watt, a standard 6kW residential system runs approximately $16,200 before any incentives.
| Line item | Estimated cost | Share of total |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment (panels, inverter, racking) | $8,910 | 55% |
| Labor / installation | $4,860 | 30% |
| Permitting & inspection | $2,430 | 15% |
| Total (before incentives) | $16,200 | 100% |
A 6kW system in Virginia costs 4% less than the average across the 50 states we track ($16,872), and the electricity rate it offsets is 13% lower than the 0.16 USD/kWh average across those same states. That combination is what actually determines whether Virginia is a faster- or slower-than-average place to go solar — a lower system cost alone doesn't help if the rate you're offsetting is also low, and vice versa. See how every state stacks up on the Electricity & Solar Rate Tracker.
At $1,104 in estimated annual value from 7,884 kWh of yearly production, this system pays back in roughly 15 years — a longer payback period than the national average. Virginia: Statewide net metering, utility-administered. On incentives specifically: Virginia offers a property tax exemption for solar equipment in many localities. The federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) expired for owned systems after December 31, 2025 — see our 2026 tax credit guide for what that means for your net price.
Same assumptions as above — $2.70/watt installed, 4.5 peak sun hours, 80% system efficiency, $0.14/kWh, no federal credit — scaled to common system sizes. Real quotes usually come in slightly cheaper per watt for larger systems, and the 25-year figure assumes flat electricity prices and 0.5% yearly panel degradation (rate increases would improve it).
| System | Installed cost | Yearly output | Yearly savings | Payback | 25-yr net savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $10,800 | 5,256 kWh | $736 | 14.7 yrs | $6,533 |
| 6 kW | $16,200 | 7,884 kWh | $1,104 | 14.7 yrs | $9,800 |
| 8 kW | $21,600 | 10,512 kWh | $1,472 | 14.7 yrs | $13,067 |
| 10 kW | $27,000 | 13,140 kWh | $1,840 | 14.7 yrs | $16,334 |
| 12 kW | $32,400 | 15,768 kWh | $2,208 | 14.7 yrs | $19,600 |
Payback barely changes with system size here, because cost and savings both scale with the number of panels — what moves it is the rate you offset and your price per watt. For a 10-year payback on a 6 kW system at Virginia's $2.70/watt, you would need to be offsetting about $0.21/kWh; the average rate here is $0.14/kWh, which is below that line. Treat the table as a starting point: use the calculator below with your own usage and quotes. To see how your utility's export credit and how much solar you use at home change payback, try the <a href="/tools/solar-payback-export-credit-calculator.html?state=VA">payback calculator with export credit</a>.
A typical 6kW residential solar system in Virginia costs approximately $16,200 installed in 2026, based on a regional estimate of $2.70/watt — equipment usually makes up about 55% of that, labor about 30%, with the rest in permitting.
At Virginia's average rate of $0.14/kWh, a 6kW system pays back in roughly 15 years — a longer payback period than the national average. Your actual number depends on your usage and roof; check it precisely with the Solar Panel Cost Calculator.
A 6kW system in Virginia costs 4% less than the 50-state average of $16,872, while the electricity rate it offsets is 13% lower than the 0.16 USD/kWh average across those states.