Solar Panel Cost Guide in Falls, PA (2023 Update)
- Falls Solar Installation Cost: $11,751
- 25-Year Savings: $14,894
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Falls
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Falls.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Falls it's 2.55 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Falls is around 6.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,745 for a solar installation, or $16,795 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Falls can save about $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Falls
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-10,461 |
3 years | $-7,881 |
5 years | $-5,300 |
7 years | $-2,719 |
9 years | $-139 |
11 years | $2,442 |
13 years | $5,022 |
15 years | $7,603 |
17 years | $10,183 |
19 years | $12,764 |
21 years | $15,344 |
23 years | $17,925 |
25 years | $20,505 |
Top Solar Installers in Falls
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. The expertise that solar companies offer can be useful as well, particularly if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Falls, we've put together 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
See all of the solar companies in Falls
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Falls
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Falls: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,550 per kilowatt in Falls. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Falls, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's crucial to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar system can influence the cost. Falls' solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally 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 | $11,138 | $13,146 | 11.5 years |
8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $17,813 | 11.2 years |
10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $22,623 | 11.0 years |
12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $27,576 | 10.8 years |
14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $32,672 | 10.6 years |
16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $37,911 | 10.4 years |
18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $43,293 | 10.1 years |
20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $48,817 | 9.9 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 select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer 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.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Falls, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Falls?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Falls?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.