Solar Panel Cost Guide in New Kensington, PA (2024 Update)
- New Kensington Solar Installation Cost: $17,475
- 25-Year Savings: $12,827
- Payback Period: 17.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in New Kensington
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in New Kensington.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in New Kensington it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in New Kensington, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,475, or $24,989 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of New Kensington homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average New Kensington homeowners see about $14,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in New Kensington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,115 |
| 3 years | $-13,395 |
| 5 years | $-10,675 |
| 7 years | $-7,955 |
| 9 years | $-5,236 |
| 11 years | $-2,516 |
| 13 years | $204 |
| 15 years | $2,924 |
| 17 years | $5,644 |
| 19 years | $8,364 |
| 21 years | $11,083 |
| 23 years | $13,803 |
| 25 years | $16,523 |
Top Solar Installers in New Kensington
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Taking advantage of a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in New Kensington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in New Kensington
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in New Kensington: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,550. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install 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 too expensive, solar loans are an affordable option because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of sustainable energy solutions in New Kensington, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 | $6,148 | 17.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $8,594 | 17.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $11,240 | 17.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $14,084 | 16.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $17,128 | 16.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $20,369 | 16.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $23,810 | 15.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $27,450 | 15.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in New Kensington, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a good company.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's New Kensington, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in New Kensington?
The average cost of solar panels in New Kensington 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 use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in New Kensington?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of 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 savings from going solar.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to 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.