Solar Panel Cost Guide in McCandless, PA (2024 Update)
- McCandless Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
- 25-Year Savings: $13,788
- Payback Period: 16.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in McCandless
We break down average solar pricing in McCandless.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in McCandless, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in McCandless, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,320, or $24,768 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on your energy needs and what company you go with.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
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Solar savings over time in McCandless
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,817 |
| 3 years | $-12,810 |
| 5 years | $-9,804 |
| 7 years | $-6,797 |
| 9 years | $-3,791 |
| 11 years | $-784 |
| 13 years | $2,223 |
| 15 years | $5,229 |
| 17 years | $8,236 |
| 19 years | $11,242 |
| 21 years | $14,249 |
| 23 years | $17,256 |
| 25 years | $20,262 |
Top Solar Installers in McCandless
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar companies provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in McCandless
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in McCandless
For many McCandless homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in McCandless, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy 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 about $3,550 per kilowatt in McCandless.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a popular option because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in McCandless, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car 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 | $7,073 | 17.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,828 | 16.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,782 | 16.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $15,935 | 16.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $19,286 | 15.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $22,837 | 15.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $26,586 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $30,534 | 14.9 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 comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading 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 like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. 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 take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's McCandless, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in McCandless?
The average cost of solar panels in McCandless is about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in McCandless?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it usually 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.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $752.64 per year.
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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.