Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Cocalico, PA (2024 Update)

  • East Cocalico Solar Installation Cost: $16,331
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,626
  • Payback Period: 16.1 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 East Cocalico

See how much it might cost to install solar panels in East Cocalico.

The average cost of a solar system in East Cocalico is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in East Cocalico, most homeowners require a 6.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,331, or $23,353 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in East Cocalico based on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With average savings of about $15,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in East Cocalico find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a custom quote.

Solar savings over time in East Cocalico

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,027
3 years$-12,418
5 years$-9,809
7 years$-7,200
9 years$-4,591
11 years$-1,981
13 years$628
15 years$3,237
17 years$5,846
19 years$8,455
21 years$11,064
23 years$13,673
25 years$16,282

Top Solar Installers in East Cocalico

Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra labor and handiness. For that reason, most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Solar warranties and repairs are ordinarily included in the cost of installation when you hire a solar contractor too, which can save you more money over time.

You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:

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

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

See all of the solar companies in East Cocalico

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Cocalico

There are a number of criteria that can affect 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

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in East Cocalico, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,550 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the East Cocalico average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you select will impact your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.69$15,506$7,64316.7 years
8 kW$3.62$20,278$10,58916.4 years
10 kW$3.55$24,850$13,73316.1 years
12 kW$3.48$29,224$17,07615.8 years
14 kW$3.41$33,398$20,61815.5 years
16 kW$3.34$37,374$24,35815.1 years
18 kW$3.27$41,152$28,29814.8 years
20 kW$3.19$44,730$32,43614.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound 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 good reviews from previous customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand 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 offerings before deciding.
  • Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • 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 installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.

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

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

EcoWatch's East Cocalico, PA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Cocalico?

The average cost of solar panels in East Cocalico 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 stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Can you get solar panels for free in East Cocalico?

You can’t get solar panels for free in East Cocalico. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the amount of 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 buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for 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.