Solar Panel Cost Guide in Upper Makefield, PA (2024 Update)
- Upper Makefield Solar Installation Cost: $16,360
- 25-Year Savings: $14,632
- Payback Period: 15.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Upper Makefield
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Upper Makefield.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Upper Makefield, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Upper Makefield, most homeowners require a 6.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,360, or $23,395 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Upper Makefield homeowners. 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.With typical savings of about $15,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Upper Makefield find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Upper Makefield that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Upper Makefield
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,085 |
| 3 years | $-12,536 |
| 5 years | $-9,987 |
| 7 years | $-7,438 |
| 9 years | $-4,889 |
| 11 years | $-2,340 |
| 13 years | $209 |
| 15 years | $2,758 |
| 17 years | $5,307 |
| 19 years | $7,856 |
| 21 years | $10,405 |
| 23 years | $12,954 |
| 25 years | $15,503 |
Top Solar Installers in Upper Makefield
Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance in the long run.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Makefield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Upper Makefield
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Upper Makefield: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly 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 power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,550 per kilowatt in Upper Makefield.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 over time on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Upper Makefield average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Upper Makefield to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to solar energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Upper Makefield, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger 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 | $8,539 | 16.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $11,783 | 15.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $15,225 | 15.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $18,867 | 15.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $22,707 | 14.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $26,746 | 14.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $30,984 | 14.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $35,421 | 14.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Upper Makefield, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Makefield, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Upper Makefield?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key 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 think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will having solar panels impact the value of my home?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Upper Makefield is currently $575,015, so you could be looking at a value of about $23,576 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Upper Makefield is a fruitful investment.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.