Solar Panel Cost Guide in Oakmont, PA (2024 Update)

  • Oakmont Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
  • 25-Year Savings: $12,938
  • Payback Period: 17.1 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 Oakmont

We go over average solar pricing in Oakmont.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Oakmont it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Oakmont, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,320, or $24,768 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average Oakmont homeowners see about $14,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Oakmont for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Oakmont

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,683
3 years $-12,410
5 years $-9,136
7 years $-5,862
9 years $-2,588
11 years $686
13 years $3,960
15 years $7,233
17 years $10,507
19 years $13,781
21 years $17,055
23 years $20,329
25 years $23,603

Top Solar Installers in Oakmont

Putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult task, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another upside of going with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Oakmont:

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 Oakmont

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Oakmont

For many Oakmont homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Oakmont, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over 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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,550 per kilowatt in Oakmont.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Typically, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Oakmont, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you choose will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.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 extra 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 $6,341 17.7 years
8 kW $3.62 $20,278 $8,852 17.4 years
10 kW $3.55 $24,850 $11,562 17.1 years
12 kW $3.48 $29,224 $14,470 16.7 years
14 kW $3.41 $33,398 $17,578 16.4 years
16 kW $3.34 $37,374 $20,884 16.0 years
18 kW $3.27 $41,152 $24,389 15.7 years
20 kW $3.19 $44,730 $28,093 15.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly influences 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:

  • 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 installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panel system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.

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 Oakmont, PA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Oakmont?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Oakmont?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Oakmont, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

Does Oakmont have a net metering program?

The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How long do solar panels last in Oakmont?

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 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 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.

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