Solar Panel Cost Guide in Upper Macungie, PA (2024 Update)
- Upper Macungie Solar Installation Cost: $16,591
- 25-Year Savings: $12,822
- Payback Period: 16.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Upper Macungie
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Upper Macungie.
In Upper Macungie, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average Upper Macungie homeowner needs a 6.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,591 with the federal tax credit, or $23,725 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Upper Macungie homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Upper Macungie can save about $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Upper Macungie
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,297 |
| 3 years | $-12,708 |
| 5 years | $-10,120 |
| 7 years | $-7,531 |
| 9 years | $-4,943 |
| 11 years | $-2,354 |
| 13 years | $234 |
| 15 years | $2,823 |
| 17 years | $5,412 |
| 19 years | $8,000 |
| 21 years | $10,589 |
| 23 years | $13,177 |
| 25 years | $15,766 |
Top Solar Installers in Upper Macungie
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installation company since handling can be a time-consuming project. Companies can also have access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for your home.
If you're looking for a solar company in Upper Macungie, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Upper Macungie
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Upper Macungie
For many Upper Macungie homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Upper Macungie, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
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 uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,550 per kilowatt in Upper Macungie.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down 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. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Upper Macungie average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Upper Macungie, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Upper Macungie, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into your budget.
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 | $6,726 | 17.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,366 | 17.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,204 | 16.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $15,241 | 16.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $18,477 | 16.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $21,912 | 15.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $25,546 | 15.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $29,378 | 15.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
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 Upper Macungie, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Upper Macungie?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Upper Macungie?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Upper Macungie?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.