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 per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,182, or $24,570 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Blair homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $17,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Blair find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Blair that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
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
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it involves extra effort and knowledge. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Blair, thereby optimizing your ROI.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Blair:
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 Blair
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Blair
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Blair: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,550. The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment consists of more than 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Blair, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose significantly impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- 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 the cost.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you opt for.
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 Blair, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Blair?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally 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 more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial 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 be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. 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?
Even though 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 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.