Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Caln, PA (2024 Update)
- West Caln Solar Installation Cost: $16,246
- 25-Year Savings: $13,809
- Payback Period: 15.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Caln
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in West Caln.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in West Caln, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Since a 6.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in West Caln, the average price of going solar will be about $16,246 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you will most likely look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with.Despite the large upfront cost, the average West Caln homeowner can save around $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in West Caln that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in West Caln
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-14,900 |
| 3 years | $-12,209 |
| 5 years | $-9,518 |
| 7 years | $-6,827 |
| 9 years | $-4,135 |
| 11 years | $-1,444 |
| 13 years | $1,247 |
| 15 years | $3,938 |
| 17 years | $6,629 |
| 19 years | $9,321 |
| 21 years | $12,012 |
| 23 years | $14,703 |
| 25 years | $17,394 |
Top Solar Installers in West Caln
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
If you're looking for a solar installer in West Caln, the EcoWatch team has organized 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 West Caln
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Caln
There are many factors that can affect your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
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 consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,550 per kilowatt in West Caln.The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many West Caln homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of 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 above the equipment and labor 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 last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in West Caln, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $7,877 | 16.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $10,900 | 16.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $14,122 | 15.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $17,543 | 15.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $21,163 | 15.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $24,981 | 15.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $28,998 | 14.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $33,214 | 14.3 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:
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 West Caln, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Caln?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in West Caln?
You can’t get solar panels for free in West Caln. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in West Caln?
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 utility bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 choose to replace them once you've had 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.