Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clearfield, PA (Mar 2023)
- Clearfield Solar Installation Cost: $12,602
- 25-Year Savings: $15,997
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clearfield
We break down average solar pricing in Clearfield.
The average cost of solar panels in Clearfield is 2.55 per watt. The average Clearfield homeowner needs a 7.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,602 with the federal tax credit, or $18,021 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Clearfield homeowners see about $15,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Clearfield
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,458 |
| 3 years | $-9,170 |
| 5 years | $-6,882 |
| 7 years | $-4,594 |
| 9 years | $-2,306 |
| 11 years | $-19 |
| 13 years | $2,269 |
| 15 years | $4,557 |
| 17 years | $6,845 |
| 19 years | $9,133 |
| 21 years | $11,421 |
| 23 years | $13,709 |
| 25 years | $15,997 |
Top Solar Installers in Clearfield
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be hard. In addition, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar power, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Clearfield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clearfield
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Clearfield: 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
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider 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 solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Clearfield, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Clearfield homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Clearfield is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to 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 | $2.65 | $11,138 | $13,168 | 11.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $17,843 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $22,661 | 11.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $27,621 | 10.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $32,724 | 10.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $37,970 | 10.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $43,359 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $48,891 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly affects your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it 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.
- Contract: It's important to read through 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.
- Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar panel system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before making your decision.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Clearfield, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Clearfield?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality 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.
Can you get solar panels for free in Clearfield?
Solar panels aren't free in Clearfield, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.