Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lower Makefield, PA (2024 Update)

  • Lower Makefield Solar Installation Cost: $16,360
  • 25-Year Savings: $14,894
  • Payback Period: 15.3 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lower Makefield

We go over average solar pricing in Lower Makefield.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Lower Makefield it’s 4 per watt.The average Lower Makefield homeowner needs a 6.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,360 with the federal tax credit, or $23,395 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary based on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Lower Makefield can save about $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in Lower Makefield for a customized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Lower Makefield

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,070
3 years$-12,489
5 years$-9,908
7 years$-7,328
9 years$-4,747
11 years$-2,167
13 years$414
15 years$2,994
17 years$5,575
19 years$8,155
21 years$10,736
23 years$13,317
25 years$15,897

Top Solar Installers in Lower Makefield

When going solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since handling can be a difficult project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance over time.

If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • 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

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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 Lower Makefield

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lower Makefield

Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in Lower Makefield: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,550 per kilowatt in Lower Makefield.The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Further, 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’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Lower Makefield to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. Lower Makefield’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Lower Makefield know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.69$15,506$8,77816.0 years
8 kW$3.62$20,278$12,10115.7 years
10 kW$3.55$24,850$15,62315.3 years
12 kW$3.48$29,224$19,34415.0 years
14 kW$3.41$33,398$23,26414.7 years
16 kW$3.34$37,374$27,38314.4 years
18 kW$3.27$41,152$31,70114.1 years
20 kW$3.19$44,730$36,21713.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before making your decision.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • 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

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Lower Makefield, PA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lower Makefield?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Lower Makefield?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Lower Makefield. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

How will solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Even though 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 their energy production 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.