Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cornwall, PA (2024 Update)
- Cornwall Solar Installation Cost: $16,524
- 25-Year Savings: $13,213
- Payback Period: 16.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cornwall
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Cornwall.
In Cornwall, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 6.6-kW system would cost about $16,524 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will look different based on your energy needs and what company you go with.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Cornwall can save around $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installer in Cornwall, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cornwall
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,281 |
| 3 years | $-12,795 |
| 5 years | $-10,309 |
| 7 years | $-7,823 |
| 9 years | $-5,337 |
| 11 years | $-2,851 |
| 13 years | $-365 |
| 15 years | $2,121 |
| 17 years | $4,607 |
| 19 years | $7,093 |
| 21 years | $9,579 |
| 23 years | $12,065 |
| 25 years | $14,551 |
Top Solar Installers in Cornwall
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to go with a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. The payback period on a solar system will vary based on factors like your location and energy use, but working with a solar installer can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
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 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
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 Cornwall
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cornwall
The cost of installing a solar system in Cornwall can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Cornwall, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,550 for each additional kilowatt you need.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 get 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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Cornwall average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cornwall to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Cornwall, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $7,126 | 17.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,899 | 16.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,871 | 16.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $16,042 | 16.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $19,411 | 15.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $22,979 | 15.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $26,746 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $30,712 | 14.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- 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 likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar power 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 secure and what the project timeline is.
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 Cornwall, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cornwall?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Cornwall?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Cornwall, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location 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 $754.42 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Cornwall?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 larger 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.