Solar Panel Cost Guide in Upper St. Clair, PA (2025 Update)

  • Upper St. Clair Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
  • 25-Year Savings: $23,603
  • Payback Period: 17.1 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

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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 Upper St. Clair

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Upper St. Clair.

The average cost of solar panels in Upper St. Clair is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Upper St. Clair, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,320, or $24,768 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Upper St. Clair can save around $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.

To get a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar company in Upper St. Clair, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Upper St. Clair

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,683
3 years$-12,410
5 years$-9,136
7 years$-5,862
9 years$-2,588
11 years$686
13 years$3,960
15 years$7,233
17 years$10,507
19 years$13,781
21 years$17,055
23 years$20,329
25 years$23,603

Top Solar Installers in Upper St. Clair

Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra energy and knowledge. That's why most people choose a solar panel installer. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives and by providing warranties and repairs.

If you're looking for a solar installer in Upper St. Clair, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

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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 Upper St. Clair

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Upper St. Clair

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

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,550.The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Furthermore, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Upper St. Clair, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Upper St. Clair, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access 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 discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.69$15,506$6,34117.7 years
8 kW$3.62$20,278$8,85217.4 years
10 kW$3.55$24,850$11,56217.1 years
12 kW$3.48$29,224$14,47016.7 years
14 kW$3.41$33,398$17,57816.4 years
16 kW$3.34$37,374$20,88416.0 years
18 kW$3.27$41,152$24,38915.7 years
20 kW$3.19$44,730$28,09315.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before making your decision.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
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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 Upper St. Clair, PA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Upper St. Clair?

The average cost of solar panels in Upper St. Clair 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 things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities 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.

Is it worth going solar in Upper St. Clair?

Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

How long do solar panels last in Upper St. Clair?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.