Solar Panel Cost Guide in Elizabeth, PA (2024 Update)
- Elizabeth Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
- 25-Year Savings: $11,492
- Payback Period: 18.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Elizabeth
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Elizabeth.
In Elizabeth, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Elizabeth is around 7.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,320 for a solar installation, or $24,768 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Elizabeth homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Elizabeth that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Elizabeth
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,960 |
| 3 years | $-13,241 |
| 5 years | $-10,521 |
| 7 years | $-7,801 |
| 9 years | $-5,081 |
| 11 years | $-2,361 |
| 13 years | $358 |
| 15 years | $3,078 |
| 17 years | $5,798 |
| 19 years | $8,518 |
| 21 years | $11,238 |
| 23 years | $13,958 |
| 25 years | $16,677 |
Top Solar Installers in Elizabeth
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra effort and knowledge. For that reason, the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Elizabeth:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Elizabeth
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Elizabeth
There are several criteria that can affect your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,550 per kilowatt in Elizabeth.The 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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Elizabeth average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Elizabeth homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of renewable energy solutions in Elizabeth, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $5,097 | 18.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $7,193 | 18.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $9,488 | 18.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $11,982 | 17.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $14,675 | 17.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $17,567 | 17.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $20,657 | 16.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $23,947 | 16.3 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:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have various brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s necessary to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Elizabeth, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Elizabeth?
The average cost of solar panels in Elizabeth 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 use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Elizabeth?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Elizabeth?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually 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.