Solar Panel Cost Guide in Audubon, PA (2024 Update)
- Audubon Solar Installation Cost: $16,365
- 25-Year Savings: $14,891
- Payback Period: 15.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Audubon
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Audubon.
The average cost of solar panels in Audubon is 4 per watt.Since a 6.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Audubon, the average price of going solar will be about $16,365 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Audubon depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Audubon
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-15,074 |
3 years | $-12,494 |
5 years | $-9,913 |
7 years | $-7,333 |
9 years | $-4,752 |
11 years | $-2,172 |
13 years | $409 |
15 years | $2,990 |
17 years | $5,570 |
19 years | $8,151 |
21 years | $10,731 |
23 years | $13,312 |
25 years | $15,892 |
Top Solar Installers in Audubon
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Hiring an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar installers provide can be valuable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
If you're searching for a solar company in Audubon, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in Audubon
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Audubon
There are several criteria that can determine your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,550 per kilowatt in Audubon.The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Audubon to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Audubon is the company you get to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 kW | $3.69 | $15,506 | $8,771 | 16.0 years |
8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $12,092 | 15.7 years |
10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $15,612 | 15.4 years |
12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $19,330 | 15.0 years |
14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $23,248 | 14.7 years |
16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $27,364 | 14.4 years |
18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $31,679 | 14.1 years |
20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $36,193 | 13.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of offerings before deciding.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's Audubon, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Audubon?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Audubon?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Does Audubon have a net metering program?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.