Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lower Frederick, PA (Mar 2023)
- Lower Frederick Solar Installation Cost: $11,763
- 25-Year Savings: $14,037
- Payback Period: 11.4 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lower Frederick
We go over average solar pricing in Lower Frederick.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Lower Frederick, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.55 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 6.6-kW system would cost about $11,763 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To receive a free estimate from a top solar installation company in Lower Frederick, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Lower Frederick
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,731 |
| 3 years | $-8,667 |
| 5 years | $-6,603 |
| 7 years | $-4,539 |
| 9 years | $-2,475 |
| 11 years | $-411 |
| 13 years | $1,653 |
| 15 years | $3,717 |
| 17 years | $5,781 |
| 19 years | $7,845 |
| 21 years | $9,909 |
| 23 years | $11,973 |
| 25 years | $14,037 |
Top Solar Installers in Lower Frederick
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since installing solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Local solar companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Lower Frederick, the EcoWatch team has compiled 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 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 Lower Frederick
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lower Frederick
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Lower Frederick: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Lower Frederick, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,550 for each additional kilowatt you need. The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Lower Frederick average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Lower Frederick to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Lower Frederick, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, 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 | $2.65 | $11,138 | $12,368 | 11.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $16,776 | 11.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $21,327 | 11.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $26,021 | 11.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $30,858 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $35,837 | 10.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $40,960 | 10.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $46,225 | 10.3 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:
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Lower Frederick, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lower Frederick?
The average cost of solar panels in Lower Frederick is about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real 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.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Lower Frederick, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely 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 continue to use 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.