Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lewistown, PA (2024 Update)
- Lewistown Solar Installation Cost: $17,079
- 25-Year Savings: $16,100
- Payback Period: 15.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lewistown
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Lewistown.
The average cost of a solar system in Lewistown is 4 per watt.Because a 6.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Lewistown, the average price of going solar will be about $17,079 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Lewistown homeowner can save around $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Lewistown that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Lewistown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,601 |
| 3 years | $-12,646 |
| 5 years | $-9,691 |
| 7 years | $-6,736 |
| 9 years | $-3,781 |
| 11 years | $-827 |
| 13 years | $2,128 |
| 15 years | $5,083 |
| 17 years | $8,038 |
| 19 years | $10,993 |
| 21 years | $13,948 |
| 23 years | $16,903 |
| 25 years | $19,858 |
Top Solar Installers in Lewistown
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it requires extra labor and know-how. For that reason, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Lewistown, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Lewistown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lewistown
For many Lewistown homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Lewistown, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,550 per kilowatt in Lewistown.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider 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 falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Lewistown to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Lewistown homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose will influence your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
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 | $9,259 | 15.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $12,743 | 15.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $16,426 | 15.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $20,307 | 14.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $24,388 | 14.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $28,667 | 14.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $33,145 | 13.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $37,821 | 13.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panel system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 previous 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.
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 Lewistown, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lewistown?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Lewistown?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to 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 property value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Lewistown is currently $141,212, which means you can look forward to a value of about $5,790 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Lewistown is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in Lewistown?
Even 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.