Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Fayette, PA (2023 Update)
- South Fayette Solar Installation Cost: $12,441
- 25-Year Savings: $11,492
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Fayette
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in South Fayette.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in South Fayette typically cost around 2.55. Since a 7.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in South Fayette, the average price of going solar will be about $12,441 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of South Fayette homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Even with the large initial cost, the average South Fayette homeowner can save about $13,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in South Fayette
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,081 |
| 3 years | $-8,362 |
| 5 years | $-5,642 |
| 7 years | $-2,922 |
| 9 years | $-202 |
| 11 years | $2,518 |
| 13 years | $5,237 |
| 15 years | $7,957 |
| 17 years | $10,677 |
| 19 years | $13,397 |
| 21 years | $16,117 |
| 23 years | $18,837 |
| 25 years | $21,556 |
Top Solar Installers in South Fayette
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. 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
See all of the solar companies in South Fayette
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Fayette
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in South Fayette: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,550. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in South Fayette to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you select will influence your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill 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 access to 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 | $2.65 | $11,138 | $9,465 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $12,905 | 13.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $16,488 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $20,214 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $24,083 | 12.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $28,095 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $32,249 | 12.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $36,547 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose significantly affects your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, 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: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: When looking 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 like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the durability of your solar panels, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's South Fayette, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Fayette?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will having solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having 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.