Solar Panel Cost Guide in Erie, PA (Aug 2022)
- Erie Solar Installation Cost: $13,077
- 25-Year Savings: $17,632
- Payback Period: 10.6 Years
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Updated 7/19/2022
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Erie
We break down average solar pricing in Erie.
In Erie, solar panels cost about $3 per watt on average. Since a 6.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Erie, the average price of going solar will be about $13,077 before claiming the federal solar tax credit.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Erie homeowners see about $17,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a highly rated solar installer in Erie, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Erie
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,849 |
| 3 years | $-9,392 |
| 5 years | $-6,935 |
| 7 years | $-4,478 |
| 9 years | $-2,022 |
| 11 years | $435 |
| 13 years | $2,892 |
| 15 years | $5,349 |
| 17 years | $7,805 |
| 19 years | $10,262 |
| 21 years | $12,719 |
| 23 years | $15,176 |
| 25 years | $17,632 |
Top Solar Installers in Erie
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since installing solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Another good thing about choosing a reputable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. 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 Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Erie
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Erie
The cost of installing a solar system in Erie can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment Size
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Erie, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,550 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 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, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Erie average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Erie homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with 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 figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Erie is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs. Larger national companies typically 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 | $2.65 | $11,775 | $14,831 | 11.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $15,398 | $20,077 | 10.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $18,870 | $25,473 | 10.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $22,191 | $31,021 | 10.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $25,361 | $36,719 | 10.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $28,380 | $42,569 | 10.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $31,249 | $48,569 | 9.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $33,966 | $54,721 | 9.6 years |
Solar Incentives in Erie
| Name | Solar Alternative Energy Credits |
| Incentive Amount | Varies based on market conditions; during 2015 the market price for PA-sourced SRECs has ranged from approximately $32 - $55/MWh ($0.032 - $0.055/kWh) although individual trades have taken place at substantially lower and higher prices. |
| Incentive Max | Varies based on market conditions; SACP does not represent a price ceiling because it is only determined after the fact |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | High Performance Building Incentives Program |
| Incentive Amount | Vary by project, but program generally requires matching funds at least equivalent to DCED funding |
| Incentive Max | Residential loans/loan guarantees: $100,000 Commercial loans/loan guarantees: $2 million Grants: Lesser of 10% of project costs or $500,000 |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
| Name | High Performance Buildings Incentive Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, such as:
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it's essential to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you go with.
- Contract: Read the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Erie, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Erie?
The average cost of solar panels in Erie is about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Erie?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located 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 $886.87 per year.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home 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.
