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

  • Scranton Solar Installation Cost: $17,221
  • 25-Year Savings: $12,513
  • Payback Period: 17.3 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 Scranton

Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Scranton.

The average cost of a solar panel system in Scranton is 4 per watt.Because a 6.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Scranton, the average price of going solar will be about $17,221 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Scranton homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $14,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Scranton find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in your area for a customized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Scranton

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,866
3 years $-13,157
5 years $-10,449
7 years $-7,740
9 years $-5,031
11 years $-2,322
13 years $386
15 years $3,095
17 years $5,804
19 years $8,513
21 years $11,222
23 years $13,930
25 years $16,639

Top Solar Installers in Scranton

When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for you.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:

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 Scranton

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Scranton

The cost of installing a solar system in Scranton can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,550. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular route because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Scranton homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Scranton 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.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut 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 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 $6,037 18.0 years
8 kW $3.62 $20,278 $8,447 17.6 years
10 kW $3.55 $24,850 $11,056 17.3 years
12 kW $3.48 $29,224 $13,864 17.0 years
14 kW $3.41 $33,398 $16,870 16.6 years
16 kW $3.34 $37,374 $20,076 16.3 years
18 kW $3.27 $41,152 $23,480 15.9 years
20 kW $3.19 $44,730 $27,083 15.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven 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 satisfied reviews from previous customers.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.

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 Scranton, PA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Scranton?

The average cost of solar panels in Scranton 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 things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Scranton?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to 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 bang for your buck from going solar.

Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Scranton, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How long do solar panels last in Scranton?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.

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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