Solar Panel Cost Guide in Frankstown, PA (Mar 2023)
- Frankstown Solar Installation Cost: $12,334
- 25-Year Savings: $18,738
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Frankstown
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Frankstown.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Frankstown, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.55 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Frankstown is around 6.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,334 for a solar installation, or $17,638 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you may look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Frankstown that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Frankstown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,091 |
| 3 years | $-8,606 |
| 5 years | $-6,120 |
| 7 years | $-3,634 |
| 9 years | $-1,148 |
| 11 years | $1,338 |
| 13 years | $3,823 |
| 15 years | $6,309 |
| 17 years | $8,795 |
| 19 years | $11,281 |
| 21 years | $13,767 |
| 23 years | $16,252 |
| 25 years | $18,738 |
Top Solar Installers in Frankstown
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. A solar installer can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
If you're searching for a solar company in Frankstown, the EcoWatch team has compiled 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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Frankstown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Frankstown
There are many criteria that can determine 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why it's a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Frankstown offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Frankstown, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Frankstown have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $15,826 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $21,386 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $27,090 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $32,936 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $38,926 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $45,058 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $51,333 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $57,750 | 8.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you'd like to install plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
- Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar panels, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
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
Tesla Energy
- 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 Frankstown, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Frankstown?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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 extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Frankstown?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your property's value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for 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."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.