Solar Panel Cost Guide in Girard, PA (2024 Update)
- Girard Solar Installation Cost: $17,209
- 25-Year Savings: $18,979
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Girard
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Girard.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Girard it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Girard, most homeowners require a 6.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,209, or $24,609 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Girard based on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With typical savings of about $17,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Girard find going solar can be quite rewarding.
To receive a free quote from a vetted solar company in Girard, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Girard
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,732 |
| 3 years | $-12,777 |
| 5 years | $-9,822 |
| 7 years | $-6,867 |
| 9 years | $-3,912 |
| 11 years | $-957 |
| 13 years | $1,998 |
| 15 years | $4,953 |
| 17 years | $7,908 |
| 19 years | $10,863 |
| 21 years | $13,818 |
| 23 years | $16,772 |
| 25 years | $19,727 |
Top Solar Installers in Girard
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to go with a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Girard, therefore optimizing your ROI.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Girard, 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 Girard
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Girard
There are several factors that can affect 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 panels.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need, 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 around $3,550. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Girard, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, 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
Most solar installers in Girard provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.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 lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Girard, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting 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 | $11,647 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $15,927 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $20,406 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $25,083 | 13.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $29,959 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $35,035 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $40,309 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $45,781 | 12.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose significantly influences your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. While there are many options for which brand 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 take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
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 Girard, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Girard?
The average cost of solar panels in Girard 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 such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.