Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cranberry, PA (2024 Update)

  • Cranberry Solar Installation Cost: $17,361
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,722
  • Payback Period: 16.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cranberry

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Cranberry.

In Cranberry, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Cranberry, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,361, or $24,826 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 a solar panel system. The exact cost of going solar can vary depending on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.With typical savings of about $14,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Cranberry find investing in solar can pay off big.

For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Cranberry

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,835
3 years $-12,784
5 years $-9,733
7 years $-6,682
9 years $-3,630
11 years $-579
13 years $2,472
15 years $5,523
17 years $8,574
19 years $11,625
21 years $14,676
23 years $17,727
25 years $20,779

Top Solar Installers in Cranberry

Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a stressful undertaking, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another good thing about going with a vetted solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.

If you're on the hunt for a solar company in Cranberry, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Cranberry

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cranberry

For many Cranberry homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Cranberry, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,550. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for 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 over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Cranberry average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cranberry to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Cranberry homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Cranberry, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 $6,988 17.2 years
8 kW $3.62 $20,278 $9,715 16.9 years
10 kW $3.55 $24,850 $12,641 16.6 years
12 kW $3.48 $29,224 $15,766 16.2 years
14 kW $3.41 $33,398 $19,089 15.9 years
16 kW $3.34 $37,374 $22,611 15.6 years
18 kW $3.27 $41,152 $26,332 15.2 years
20 kW $3.19 $44,730 $30,252 14.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Cranberry, PA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cranberry?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Cranberry?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Cranberry. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Cranberry?

Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last 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 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.

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