Solar Panel Cost Guide in Blair, PA (2024 Update)
- Blair Solar Installation Cost: $17,182
- 25-Year Savings: $18,620
- Payback Period: 13.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Blair
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Blair.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Blair is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Blair, most homeowners require a 6.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,182, or $24,570 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Blair based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With typical savings of about $17,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Blair find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Blair
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,704 |
| 3 years | $-12,749 |
| 5 years | $-9,794 |
| 7 years | $-6,839 |
| 9 years | $-3,884 |
| 11 years | $-929 |
| 13 years | $2,025 |
| 15 years | $4,980 |
| 17 years | $7,935 |
| 19 years | $10,890 |
| 21 years | $13,845 |
| 23 years | $16,800 |
| 25 years | $19,755 |
Top Solar Installers in Blair
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Using a solar panel installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.
Working with a vetted solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
See all of the solar companies in Blair
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Blair
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Blair: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,550.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Blair average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a popular choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you select will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers 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 | $11,361 | 14.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $15,546 | 14.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $19,930 | 13.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $24,512 | 13.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $29,293 | 13.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $34,273 | 13.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $39,452 | 12.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $44,829 | 12.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of offerings before deciding.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
EcoWatch's Blair, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Blair?
The average cost of solar panels in Blair is about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $895.59 per year.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.