Solar Panel Cost Guide in Upper Chichester, PA (2024 Update)
- Upper Chichester Solar Installation Cost: $16,181
- 25-Year Savings: $15,023
- Payback Period: 15.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Upper Chichester
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Upper Chichester.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Upper Chichester, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Since a 6.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Upper Chichester, the average price of going solar will be about $16,181 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $16,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Upper Chichester find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installer in Upper Chichester, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Upper Chichester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,890 |
| 3 years | $-12,310 |
| 5 years | $-9,729 |
| 7 years | $-7,149 |
| 9 years | $-4,568 |
| 11 years | $-1,988 |
| 13 years | $593 |
| 15 years | $3,174 |
| 17 years | $5,754 |
| 19 years | $8,335 |
| 21 years | $10,915 |
| 23 years | $13,496 |
| 25 years | $16,076 |
Top Solar Installers in Upper Chichester
Installing solar panels on your own can be a time-consuming task, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another good thing about going with a reputable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
If you're looking for a solar company in Upper Chichester, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Upper Chichester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Upper Chichester
The cost of installing a solar system in Upper Chichester can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Upper Chichester, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,550 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Typically, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a popular option because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Upper Chichester homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Upper Chichester is the company you get to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in your costs. 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 lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $9,047 | 15.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $12,460 | 15.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $16,072 | 15.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $19,882 | 14.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $23,892 | 14.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $28,100 | 14.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $32,508 | 14.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $37,113 | 13.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- 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: Different companies offer different brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Upper Chichester, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Upper Chichester?
The average cost of solar panels in Upper Chichester 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does Upper Chichester have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future energy bills.
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.