Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lehigh, PA (2024 Update)
- Lehigh Solar Installation Cost: $16,665
- 25-Year Savings: $12,823
- Payback Period: 16.8 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lehigh
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Lehigh.
The average cost of solar panels in Lehigh is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 6.7-kW system would cost about $16,665 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Lehigh homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average Lehigh homeowners see about $14,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Lehigh for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Lehigh
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-15,381 |
3 years | $-12,813 |
5 years | $-10,245 |
7 years | $-7,677 |
9 years | $-5,109 |
11 years | $-2,541 |
13 years | $27 |
15 years | $2,595 |
17 years | $5,163 |
19 years | $7,731 |
21 years | $10,299 |
23 years | $12,868 |
25 years | $15,436 |
Top Solar Installers in Lehigh
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to use a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance in the long run.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Lehigh
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lehigh
For many Lehigh homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Lehigh, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,550. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Generally, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Lehigh, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Lehigh homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Lehigh is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies generally 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 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 | $3.69 | $15,506 | $6,676 | 17.5 years |
8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,298 | 17.1 years |
10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,120 | 16.8 years |
12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $15,140 | 16.5 years |
14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $18,360 | 16.1 years |
16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $21,778 | 15.8 years |
18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $25,394 | 15.5 years |
20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $29,210 | 15.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Lehigh, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a good company.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Lehigh, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Lehigh?
The average cost of solar panels in Lehigh 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 certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Lehigh?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last 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 level 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.