Solar Panel Cost Guide in Whitehall, PA (2024 Update)
- Whitehall Solar Installation Cost: $16,591
- 25-Year Savings: $13,036
- Payback Period: 16.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Whitehall
We go over average solar pricing in Whitehall.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Whitehall, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.Since a 6.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Whitehall, the average price of going solar will be about $16,591 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Whitehall homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Whitehall can save around $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Whitehall for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Whitehall
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,348 |
| 3 years | $-12,862 |
| 5 years | $-10,376 |
| 7 years | $-7,890 |
| 9 years | $-5,405 |
| 11 years | $-2,919 |
| 13 years | $-433 |
| 15 years | $2,053 |
| 17 years | $4,539 |
| 19 years | $7,025 |
| 21 years | $9,511 |
| 23 years | $11,997 |
| 25 years | $14,483 |
Top Solar Installers in Whitehall
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra energy and know-how. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over time.
If you're searching for a solar company in Whitehall, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Whitehall
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Whitehall
There are a number of factors that can play into your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,550 per kilowatt in Whitehall.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Whitehall, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Whitehall to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Whitehall homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. 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 hire to install your solar panel system can impact your pricing. Whitehall’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 prices because of more 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 | $6,919 | 17.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,623 | 17.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,525 | 16.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $15,627 | 16.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $18,927 | 16.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $22,426 | 15.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $26,124 | 15.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $30,020 | 15.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When reading over 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 like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company 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 the EcoWatch team.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Whitehall, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Whitehall?
The average cost of solar panels in Whitehall is about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value 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."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.