Solar Panel Cost Guide in West View, PA (2024 Update)
- West View Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
- 25-Year Savings: $15,449
- Payback Period: 15.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West View
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in West View.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in West View typically cost about 4.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in West View, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,320, or $24,768 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a sound investment. The average homeowner in West View can save about $15,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in West View for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in West View
| 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 View
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. A solar company can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in West View:
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 View
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West View
For many West View homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in West View, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost 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. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the West View average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid route because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for West View homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar system can affect your pricing. West View’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in West View know more about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $8,503 | 16.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $11,734 | 15.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $15,165 | 15.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $18,794 | 15.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $22,622 | 14.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $26,649 | 14.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $30,875 | 14.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $35,300 | 14.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of 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 reading through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 View, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West View?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose 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 certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in West View?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in West View?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.