Solar Panel Cost Guide in State College, PA (2024 Update)
- State College Solar Installation Cost: $17,416
- 25-Year Savings: $11,877
- Payback Period: 17.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in State College
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in State College.
The average cost of a solar system in State College is 4 per watt.The average State College homeowner needs a 7.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,416 with the federal tax credit, or $24,905 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average State College homeowner. The price 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.Many homeowners find going solar is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in State College can save around $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in State College
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,254 |
| 3 years | $-13,931 |
| 5 years | $-11,607 |
| 7 years | $-9,283 |
| 9 years | $-6,960 |
| 11 years | $-4,636 |
| 13 years | $-2,312 |
| 15 years | $11 |
| 17 years | $2,335 |
| 19 years | $4,658 |
| 21 years | $6,982 |
| 23 years | $9,306 |
| 25 years | $11,629 |
Top Solar Installers in State College
Putting up solar panels on your own can be a stressful task, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, opting for a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 State College
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in State College
The cost of installing a solar system in State College can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
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 electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,550 per kilowatt in State College.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get 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 in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the State College average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many State College homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for State College homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you pick will impact 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 keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $3.69 | $15,506 | $5,371 | 18.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $7,559 | 18.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $9,946 | 17.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $12,531 | 17.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $15,316 | 17.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $18,299 | 16.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $21,481 | 16.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $24,861 | 16.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s necessary to keep an open line of communication with your solar company. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have various brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 State College, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in State College?
The average cost of solar panels in State College 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.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in State College?
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 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 savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in State College is currently $380,550, so you could be looking at a value of about $15,603 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in State College is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in State College?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.