Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Franklin, PA (2025 Update)
- East Franklin Solar Installation Cost: $17,490
- 25-Year Savings: $13,182
- Payback Period: 17.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Franklin
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in East Franklin.
The average cost of solar panels in East Franklin is 4 per watt.The average East Franklin homeowner needs a 7.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,490 with the federal tax credit, or $25,011 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Even with the large initial cost, the average East Franklin homeowner can save about $14,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in East Franklin
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,407 |
| 3 years | $-14,241 |
| 5 years | $-12,075 |
| 7 years | $-9,909 |
| 9 years | $-7,743 |
| 11 years | $-5,578 |
| 13 years | $-3,412 |
| 15 years | $-1,246 |
| 17 years | $920 |
| 19 years | $3,086 |
| 21 years | $5,251 |
| 23 years | $7,417 |
| 25 years | $9,583 |
Top Solar Installers in East Franklin
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a difficult project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Also, companies with a high reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long run due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you're searching for a solar installer in East Franklin, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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
See all of the solar companies in East Franklin
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Franklin
For many East Franklin homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in East Franklin, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,550. 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 get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the East Franklin average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in East Franklin, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car 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 | $6,441 | 17.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $8,986 | 17.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $11,729 | 17.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $14,672 | 16.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $17,813 | 16.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $21,153 | 16.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $24,691 | 15.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $28,429 | 15.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure to look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which kind 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 offerings before deciding.
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
EcoWatch's East Franklin, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Franklin?
The average cost of solar panels in East Franklin 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 type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will installing solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in East Franklin is currently $156,395, which means you can expect a value of about $6,412 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in East Franklin is a fruitful investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically 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.