Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carbondale, PA (2024 Update)
- Carbondale Solar Installation Cost: $17,221
- 25-Year Savings: $15,085
- Payback Period: 15.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Carbondale
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Carbondale.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Carbondale generally cost about 4.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Carbondale, most homeowners require a 6.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,221, or $24,626 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Carbondale based on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Carbondale can save around $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a vetted solar company in Carbondale, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Carbondale
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,743 |
| 3 years | $-12,788 |
| 5 years | $-9,833 |
| 7 years | $-6,878 |
| 9 years | $-3,923 |
| 11 years | $-968 |
| 13 years | $1,987 |
| 15 years | $4,942 |
| 17 years | $7,896 |
| 19 years | $10,851 |
| 21 years | $13,806 |
| 23 years | $16,761 |
| 25 years | $19,716 |
Top Solar Installers in Carbondale
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance in the long run.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Carbondale
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carbondale
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Carbondale: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly 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 energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,550 per kilowatt in Carbondale.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 power bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Carbondale average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Carbondale to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.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’re only able to 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 securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Carbondale, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $8,265 | 16.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $11,417 | 16.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $14,769 | 15.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $18,319 | 15.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $22,068 | 15.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $26,015 | 14.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $30,162 | 14.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $34,507 | 14.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the types 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:
- 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 past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you’d like to install plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
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 Carbondale, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Carbondale?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important 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 think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does Carbondale have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future power bills.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.