Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Fayette, PA (Mar 2023)
- South Fayette Solar Installation Cost: $12,441
- 25-Year Savings: $11,493
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Fayette
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in South Fayette.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in South Fayette, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.55 per watt. The average South Fayette homeowner needs a 7.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,441 with the federal tax credit, or $17,791 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. Even with the high initial cost, the average South Fayette homeowner can save about $13,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in South Fayette for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in South Fayette
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,484 |
| 3 years | $-9,569 |
| 5 years | $-7,655 |
| 7 years | $-5,740 |
| 9 years | $-3,825 |
| 11 years | $-1,910 |
| 13 years | $4 |
| 15 years | $1,919 |
| 17 years | $3,834 |
| 19 years | $5,748 |
| 21 years | $7,663 |
| 23 years | $9,578 |
| 25 years | $11,493 |
Top Solar Installers in South Fayette
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be hard. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in South Fayette
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Fayette
Even though the average cost of a solar system in South Fayette is $12,441, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in South Fayette, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for South Fayette homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in South Fayette is the company you get to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up 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 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 | $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 type of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of 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.
- 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.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: When reading through 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.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's South Fayette, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South Fayette?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in South Fayette?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to 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 home 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Does South Fayette have a net metering program?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future energy bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 larger level 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.