Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Pennsboro, PA (2024 Update)
- West Pennsboro Solar Installation Cost: $16,556
- 25-Year Savings: $14,949
- Payback Period: 15.4 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Pennsboro
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in West Pennsboro.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in West Pennsboro typically cost about 4.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in West Pennsboro, most homeowners require a 6.7-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,556, or $23,675 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in West Pennsboro can save about $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in West Pennsboro that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in West Pennsboro
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,279 |
| 3 years | $-12,725 |
| 5 years | $-10,170 |
| 7 years | $-7,616 |
| 9 years | $-5,061 |
| 11 years | $-2,507 |
| 13 years | $47 |
| 15 years | $2,602 |
| 17 years | $5,156 |
| 19 years | $7,710 |
| 21 years | $10,265 |
| 23 years | $12,819 |
| 25 years | $15,373 |
Top Solar Installers in West Pennsboro
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since installing solar panels by yourself can be hard. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
Working with a vetted solar installer 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
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 Pennsboro
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Pennsboro
For many West Pennsboro homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in West Pennsboro, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
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, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,550. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the West Pennsboro average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in West Pennsboro, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.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 reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating throughout West Pennsboro, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $8,666 | 16.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $11,952 | 15.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $15,437 | 15.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $19,121 | 15.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $23,004 | 14.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $27,085 | 14.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $31,366 | 14.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $35,845 | 13.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in West Pennsboro, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure you read it through carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into 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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's West Pennsboro, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Pennsboro?
The average cost of solar panels in West Pennsboro is about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in West Pennsboro?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Is it worth going solar in West Pennsboro?
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount 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.