Solar Panel Cost Guide in Harrisburg, PA (Mar 2023)
- Harrisburg Solar Installation Cost: $11,995
- 25-Year Savings: $12,530
- Payback Period: 12.2 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 Harrisburg
We break down average solar pricing in Harrisburg.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Harrisburg, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.55 per watt. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Harrisburg, most homeowners require a 6.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,995, or $17,153 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Harrisburg that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Harrisburg
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,014 |
| 3 years | $-9,052 |
| 5 years | $-7,090 |
| 7 years | $-5,128 |
| 9 years | $-3,166 |
| 11 years | $-1,204 |
| 13 years | $758 |
| 15 years | $2,720 |
| 17 years | $4,682 |
| 19 years | $6,644 |
| 21 years | $8,606 |
| 23 years | $10,568 |
| 25 years | $12,530 |
Top Solar Installers in Harrisburg
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installation company since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are various 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
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 Harrisburg
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Harrisburg
Though the average cost of a solar system in Harrisburg is $11,995, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your home, 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 nearly $2,550. The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Harrisburg, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar system can affect how much it costs. Harrisburg's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company's size can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $10,771 | 12.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $14,646 | 12.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $18,665 | 12.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $22,826 | 12.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $27,130 | 11.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $31,577 | 11.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $36,167 | 11.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $40,900 | 11.0 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:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two 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 good reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you opt for.
- Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives 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
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 Harrisburg, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Harrisburg?
This is a tough 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Harrisburg?
You can't get solar panels for free in Harrisburg. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is it worth going solar in Harrisburg?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of 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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having 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.