Solar Panel Cost Guide in Tulpehocken, PA (2023 Update)

  • Tulpehocken Solar Installation Cost: $11,872
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,257
  • Payback Period: 11.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

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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 Tulpehocken

See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Tulpehocken.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Tulpehocken, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.55 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Tulpehocken, most homeowners require a 6.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,870, or $16,974 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.

These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on your specific situation and what company you want to go with. Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Tulpehocken can save about $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Tulpehocken

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,629
3 years $-8,143
5 years $-5,657
7 years $-3,171
9 years $-685
11 years $1,801
13 years $4,287
15 years $6,773
17 years $9,259
19 years $11,745
21 years $14,230
23 years $16,716
25 years $19,202

Top Solar Installers in Tulpehocken

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. A solar company can also help save you money over time by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. 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 Tulpehocken

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Tulpehocken

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

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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,550 per kilowatt in Tulpehocken. The kind of 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, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Tulpehocken average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Tulpehocken to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest. Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Tulpehocken homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Tulpehocken, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.

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 $11,531 12.3 years
8 kW $2.60 $14,566 $15,660 12.0 years
10 kW $2.55 $17,850 $19,933 11.8 years
12 kW $2.50 $20,992 $24,347 11.6 years
14 kW $2.45 $23,990 $28,905 11.3 years
16 kW $2.40 $26,846 $33,606 11.1 years
18 kW $2.35 $29,560 $38,449 10.9 years
20 kW $2.29 $32,130 $43,435 10.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies available in Tulpehocken, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
  • Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.

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 Tulpehocken, PA Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Tulpehocken?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.

Do solar panels increase your property value?

Solar panels can increase your property's value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for 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?

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.

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