Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Mifflin, PA (2024 Update)
- West Mifflin Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
- 25-Year Savings: $23,603
- Payback Period: 16.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Mifflin
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in West Mifflin.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in West Mifflin typically cost around 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in West Mifflin, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,320, or $24,768 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of West Mifflin homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $14,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in West Mifflin find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
To receive a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar installation company in West Mifflin, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West Mifflin
| Year | Return 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 West Mifflin
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra energy and knowledge. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Since solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
Working with a professional solar company can make going solar easier. 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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in West Mifflin
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Mifflin
For many West Mifflin homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in West Mifflin, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant 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 power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,550 per kilowatt in West Mifflin.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Generally, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many West Mifflin homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can impact your pricing. West Mifflin’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 has the products, warranties and services you want and also is 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 | $6,874 | 17.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,562 | 17.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,450 | 16.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $15,536 | 16.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $18,822 | 16.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $22,306 | 15.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $25,989 | 15.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $29,870 | 15.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the endurance of your solar system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. While 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 be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's West Mifflin, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in West Mifflin?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, 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 be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in West Mifflin?
Solar panels aren’t free in West Mifflin, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
How will solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in West Mifflin is currently $153,288, which means you could be looking at a value of about $6,285 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in West Mifflin is a fruitful investment.
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger 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.