Solar Panel Cost Guide in Douglass, PA (2024 Update)
- Douglass Solar Installation Cost: $16,365
- 25-Year Savings: $13,944
- Payback Period: 15.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Douglass
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Douglass.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Douglass it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Douglass is around 6.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,365 for a solar installation, or $23,402 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Douglass homeowner can save about $15,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To get a free quote from a highly rated solar company in Douglass, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Douglass
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-15,122 |
3 years | $-12,636 |
5 years | $-10,150 |
7 years | $-7,664 |
9 years | $-5,178 |
11 years | $-2,692 |
13 years | $-206 |
15 years | $2,280 |
17 years | $4,766 |
19 years | $7,252 |
21 years | $9,738 |
23 years | $12,224 |
25 years | $14,710 |
Top Solar Installers in Douglass
When going solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installation company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over time.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Douglass
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Douglass
While the average cost of a solar system in Douglass is $16,365, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
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 energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,550 per kilowatt in Douglass.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Douglass to be prohibitively steep, 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 in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Douglass is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $7,908 | 16.6 years |
8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $10,941 | 16.2 years |
10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $14,174 | 15.9 years |
12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $17,605 | 15.6 years |
14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $21,235 | 15.3 years |
16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $25,063 | 15.0 years |
18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $29,091 | 14.6 years |
20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $33,317 | 14.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies to choose from in Douglass, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- 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 large role in the company you hire.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
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 Douglass, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Douglass?
The average cost of solar panels in Douglass is about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Douglass?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Douglass. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Douglass, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.