Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Hanover, PA (2024 Update)
- West Hanover Solar Installation Cost: $16,690
- 25-Year Savings: $12,837
- Payback Period: 16.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Hanover
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in West Hanover.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in West Hanover, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average West Hanover homeowner needs a 6.7-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,690 with the federal tax credit, or $23,867 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in West Hanover that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in West Hanover
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,413 |
| 3 years | $-12,859 |
| 5 years | $-10,304 |
| 7 years | $-7,750 |
| 9 years | $-5,196 |
| 11 years | $-2,641 |
| 13 years | $-87 |
| 15 years | $2,467 |
| 17 years | $5,022 |
| 19 years | $7,576 |
| 21 years | $10,131 |
| 23 years | $12,685 |
| 25 years | $15,239 |
Top Solar Installers in West Hanover
When going solar, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Another upside of going with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a vetted solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 West Hanover
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Hanover
The cost of installing a solar system in West Hanover can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in West Hanover have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in West Hanover is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price 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 go with the company that provides the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within 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 | $6,671 | 17.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,292 | 17.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,112 | 16.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $15,131 | 16.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $18,348 | 16.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $21,765 | 15.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $25,380 | 15.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $29,194 | 15.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure to look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check 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 West Hanover, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Hanover?
This is a hard 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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in West Hanover?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford 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 savings from going solar.
How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $739.24 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable 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 after having 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.