Solar Panel Cost Guide in Churchville, PA (2023 Update)

  • Churchville Solar Installation Cost: $11,751
  • 25-Year Savings: $14,894
  • Payback Period: 11.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Churchville

Here's how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Churchville.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Churchville, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.55 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Churchville is around 6.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,745 for a solar installation, or $16,795 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar panel system could cost. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with. With typical savings of about $15,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Churchville find going 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 Churchville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,461
3 years $-7,881
5 years $-5,300
7 years $-2,719
9 years $-139
11 years $2,442
13 years $5,022
15 years $7,603
17 years $10,183
19 years $12,764
21 years $15,344
23 years $17,925
25 years $20,505

Top Solar Installers in Churchville

Although you can install solar panels yourself, it takes extra energy and know-how. That's one of the reasons most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can take advantage of and by offering warranties and repairs.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Churchville:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Churchville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Churchville

For many Churchville homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Churchville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,550 per kilowatt in Churchville. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Churchville average.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in Churchville provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Churchville homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Churchville is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs. 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 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 $2.65 $11,138 $13,146 11.5 years
8 kW $2.60 $14,566 $17,813 11.2 years
10 kW $2.55 $17,850 $22,623 11.0 years
12 kW $2.50 $20,992 $27,576 10.8 years
14 kW $2.45 $23,990 $32,672 10.6 years
16 kW $2.40 $26,846 $37,911 10.4 years
18 kW $2.35 $29,560 $43,293 10.1 years
20 kW $2.29 $32,130 $48,817 9.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies available in Churchville, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
  • 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 you can expect about the project timeline.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Churchville, PA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Churchville?

The average cost of solar panels in Churchville is about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Churchville?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to 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 financial benefits from going solar.

Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?

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 $809.47 per year.

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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount 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.

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