Solar Panel Cost Guide in New Castle, PA (2024 Update)
- New Castle Solar Installation Cost: $17,384
- 25-Year Savings: $15,187
- Payback Period: 17.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in New Castle
We go over average solar pricing in New Castle.
In New Castle, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in New Castle is around 7.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,384 for a solar installation, or $24,859 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in New Castle see about $13,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a top solar installation company in New Castle, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in New Castle
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,081 |
| 3 years | $-13,476 |
| 5 years | $-10,870 |
| 7 years | $-8,264 |
| 9 years | $-5,659 |
| 11 years | $-3,053 |
| 13 years | $-447 |
| 15 years | $2,159 |
| 17 years | $4,764 |
| 19 years | $7,370 |
| 21 years | $9,976 |
| 23 years | $12,582 |
| 25 years | $15,187 |
Top Solar Installers in New Castle
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 New Castle
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in New Castle
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in New Castle: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in New Castle, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,550 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like New Castle, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in New Castle to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in New Castle is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $5,615 | 18.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $7,884 | 18.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $10,352 | 17.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $13,019 | 17.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $15,885 | 16.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $18,949 | 16.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $22,213 | 16.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $25,675 | 15.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you go with.
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 New Castle, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in New Castle?
The average cost of solar panels in New Castle 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 things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does New Castle have a net metering program?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future power bills.
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 replace them once you've had 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.