Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northumberland, PA (2024 Update)
- Northumberland Solar Installation Cost: $17,125
- 25-Year Savings: $8,122
- Payback Period: 21.0 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northumberland
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Northumberland.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Northumberland typically cost around 4.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Northumberland, most homeowners require a 6.9-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,125, or $24,489 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The actual price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Northumberland depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $11,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Northumberland for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Northumberland
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-16,018 |
3 years | $-13,802 |
5 years | $-11,587 |
7 years | $-9,372 |
9 years | $-7,157 |
11 years | $-4,942 |
13 years | $-2,726 |
15 years | $-511 |
17 years | $1,704 |
19 years | $3,919 |
21 years | $6,134 |
23 years | $8,349 |
25 years | $10,565 |
Top Solar Installers in Northumberland
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, opting for a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Northumberland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northumberland
For many Northumberland homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Northumberland, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The type of 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 power bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Northumberland average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a popular choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar system can play a part in determining your pricing. Northumberland’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut 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 | $2,275 | 21.8 years |
8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $3,431 | 21.4 years |
10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $4,786 | 21.0 years |
12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $6,340 | 20.5 years |
14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $8,092 | 20.1 years |
16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $10,043 | 19.7 years |
18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $12,193 | 19.3 years |
20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $14,542 | 18.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose considerably affects your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company’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 if the company goes out of business.
- 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Northumberland, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Northumberland?
The average cost of solar panels in Northumberland 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 stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Northumberland?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Northumberland. However, you may still be able to afford 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 having solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Northumberland is currently $193,206, which means you can look forward to a value of about $7,921 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Northumberland is a worthwhile investment.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.