Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Earl, PA (Jan 2023)
- West Earl Solar Installation Cost: $11,727
- 25-Year Savings: $13,352
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Earl
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in West Earl.
In West Earl, solar panels cost about $3 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in West Earl, most homeowners require a 6.6-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,727, or $8,678 after the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you will look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with. With typical savings of about $15,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in West Earl find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West Earl
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,724 |
| 3 years | $-8,718 |
| 5 years | $-6,712 |
| 7 years | $-4,705 |
| 9 years | $-2,699 |
| 11 years | $-692 |
| 13 years | $1,314 |
| 15 years | $3,320 |
| 17 years | $5,327 |
| 19 years | $7,333 |
| 21 years | $9,339 |
| 23 years | $11,346 |
| 25 years | $13,352 |
Top Solar Installers in West Earl
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in West Earl, thereby optimizing your ROI.
There are a number of 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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in West Earl
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Earl
Even though the average cost of a solar system in West Earl is $11,727, your actual cost may differ. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power generation 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 $2,550. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in West Earl offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels. 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 above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in West Earl is the company you get to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and choose a company that provides 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 | $2.65 | $11,138 | $11,758 | 12.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.60 | $14,566 | $15,963 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.55 | $17,850 | $20,311 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.50 | $20,992 | $24,801 | 11.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.45 | $23,990 | $29,434 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.40 | $26,846 | $34,210 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.35 | $29,560 | $39,129 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,130 | $44,191 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's West Earl, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Earl?
The average cost of solar panels in West Earl is about $12,750 for a 5-kW system and $25,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in West Earl?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 level 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.