Solar Panel Cost Guide in Butler, PA (2025 Update)
- Butler Solar Installation Cost: $17,361
- 25-Year Savings: $12,006
- Payback Period: 17.7 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Butler
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Butler.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Butler it’s 4 per watt.Because a 7.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Butler, the average price of going solar will be about $17,361 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are only estimates, and your own solar costs may look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Butler that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Butler
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,113 |
| 3 years | $-13,617 |
| 5 years | $-11,121 |
| 7 years | $-8,625 |
| 9 years | $-6,130 |
| 11 years | $-3,634 |
| 13 years | $-1,138 |
| 15 years | $1,358 |
| 17 years | $3,853 |
| 19 years | $6,349 |
| 21 years | $8,845 |
| 23 years | $11,341 |
| 25 years | $13,836 |
Top Solar Installers in Butler
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be hard. The payback period of solar panels will vary based on factors like your location and energy usage, but working with a solar installer can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 Butler
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Butler
There are a number of factors that can play into your total 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Moreover, solar equipment is 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 searching for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Butler to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can impact your pricing. Butler’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. 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 find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within 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 | $5,514 | 18.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $7,750 | 18.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $10,185 | 17.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $12,818 | 17.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $15,650 | 17.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $18,681 | 16.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $21,911 | 16.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $25,339 | 16.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean 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 check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Butler, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Butler?
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. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.