Solar Panel Cost Guide in Heidelberg, PA (2024 Update)
- Heidelberg Solar Installation Cost: $16,524
- 25-Year Savings: $13,085
- Payback Period: 16.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Heidelberg
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Heidelberg.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Heidelberg, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.Since a 6.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Heidelberg, the average price of going solar will be about $16,524 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $14,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Heidelberg
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,260 |
| 3 years | $-12,733 |
| 5 years | $-10,206 |
| 7 years | $-7,679 |
| 9 years | $-5,152 |
| 11 years | $-2,625 |
| 13 years | $-98 |
| 15 years | $2,429 |
| 17 years | $4,956 |
| 19 years | $7,483 |
| 21 years | $10,010 |
| 23 years | $12,537 |
| 25 years | $15,064 |
Top Solar Installers in Heidelberg
Trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a difficult undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Heidelberg:
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 Heidelberg
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Heidelberg
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Heidelberg: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more 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
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Heidelberg homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can affect how much you pay. Heidelberg’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of 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 lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $7,010 | 17.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,744 | 16.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,678 | 16.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $15,809 | 16.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $19,140 | 15.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $22,670 | 15.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $26,398 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $30,325 | 14.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose considerably impacts 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:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, 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 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 Heidelberg, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Heidelberg?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Heidelberg?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford 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 savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Heidelberg?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
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.