Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Mead, PA (2024 Update)
- West Mead Solar Installation Cost: $17,636
- 25-Year Savings: $18,920
- Payback Period: 14.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Mead
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in West Mead.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in West Mead typically cost about 4.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in West Mead, most homeowners require a 7.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,636, or $25,219 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The actual cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Despite the large initial cost, the average West Mead homeowner can save about $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West Mead
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,159 |
| 3 years | $-13,204 |
| 5 years | $-10,249 |
| 7 years | $-7,294 |
| 9 years | $-4,339 |
| 11 years | $-1,384 |
| 13 years | $1,571 |
| 15 years | $4,526 |
| 17 years | $7,481 |
| 19 years | $10,436 |
| 21 years | $13,390 |
| 23 years | $16,345 |
| 25 years | $19,300 |
Top Solar Installers in West Mead
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra effort and knowledge. That's why the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Also, companies with a good reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long run because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in West Mead:
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 Mead
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Mead
The cost of installing a solar system in West Mead can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,550. The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Furthermore, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think 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 for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is difficult, solar loans are an affordable choice because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, 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 more than the original 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 solar panel installation company you choose will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally 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 size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.69 | $15,506 | $11,198 | 14.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $15,329 | 14.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $19,658 | 14.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $24,186 | 13.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $28,913 | 13.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $33,839 | 13.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $38,963 | 12.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $44,286 | 12.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your solar company. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two 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 previous customers.
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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 Mead, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in West Mead?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.