West Virginia solar panels: The complete guide in 2026

Solar panels will save you a lot of money over time, but the upfront costs aren't cheap. The average West Virginia homeowner needs a 14.41 kW solar panel system to cover their electricity needs, which comes out to $44,619 before incentives. Prices range from $37,926 to $51,312, but West Virginia also has some great local incentives. 

While this may sound high, it will pay off in West Virginia. That's why over 2,800 West Virginia homeowners have used EnergySage to receive and compare quotes for solar installations. You can expect to earn back your initial solar investment through electricity savings in about 13.53 years, while most systems last at least 25 years. You'll often see this number referenced as your solar payback period.

There are a few ways to finance your solar panel system so you don't have to provide all that money upfront. 

• Cash purchase: You'll own the system and pay for it up front. This provides the best long-term savings. 

• Solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA): A third-party company owns your system and either leases you the solar panels (solar lease) or allows you to purchase the electricity they generate (PPA). These typically deliver immediate savings and can make a lot of sense if you’re looking to keep your capital flexible. Just make sure to choose an offering with low annual escalators to ensure it will continue to provide long-term savings. 

• Solar loan: This allows you to retain ownership of your system while owing little to no money upfront. Solar loans aren't all created equal. If you have access to subsidized clean energy loans through local incentive programs, that's usually your best bet. A home equity loan or a personal loan are often your next best options—private solar loans typically come with higher interest rates or upfront fees.