Solar Panel Cost Guide in Swatara, PA (2024 Update)
- Swatara Solar Installation Cost: $16,690
- 25-Year Savings: $12,751
- Payback Period: 16.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Swatara
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Swatara.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Swatara typically cost about 4.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Swatara, most homeowners require a 6.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,690, or $23,867 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in Swatara see about $14,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Swatara, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Swatara
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,396 |
| 3 years | $-12,808 |
| 5 years | $-10,219 |
| 7 years | $-7,630 |
| 9 years | $-5,042 |
| 11 years | $-2,453 |
| 13 years | $135 |
| 15 years | $2,724 |
| 17 years | $5,313 |
| 19 years | $7,901 |
| 21 years | $10,490 |
| 23 years | $13,078 |
| 25 years | $15,667 |
Top Solar Installers in Swatara
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long run with their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in Swatara
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Swatara
There are many criteria that can affect your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy 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 pay about $3,550 per kilowatt in Swatara.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Swatara, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Swatara, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $6,594 | 17.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,190 | 17.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $11,984 | 16.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $14,977 | 16.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $18,169 | 16.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $21,560 | 15.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $25,150 | 15.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $28,938 | 15.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's Swatara, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Swatara?
The average cost of solar panels in Swatara 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 stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Swatara?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Swatara. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How will installing solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Swatara is currently $247,242, so you can expect a value of about $10,137 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Swatara is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in Swatara?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger 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.