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

  • Dover Solar Installation Cost: $16,398
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,365
  • Payback Period: 15.1 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 Dover

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Dover.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Dover generally cost around 4.The average solar panel system size in Dover is around 6.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,398 for a solar installation, or $23,449 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $16,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Dover find going solar can be quite rewarding.

You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Dover that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Dover

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,155
3 years $-12,669
5 years $-10,183
7 years $-7,697
9 years $-5,211
11 years $-2,726
13 years $-240
15 years $2,246
17 years $4,732
19 years $7,218
21 years $9,704
23 years $12,190
25 years $14,676

Top Solar Installers in Dover

Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be challenging. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:

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 Dover

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dover

Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Dover: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,550.The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Dover offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installer you choose will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have 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 discount can bring their pricing lower 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 $9,174 15.7 years
8 kW $3.62 $20,278 $12,630 15.4 years
10 kW $3.55 $24,850 $16,284 15.1 years
12 kW $3.48 $29,224 $20,137 14.8 years
14 kW $3.41 $33,398 $24,189 14.5 years
16 kW $3.34 $37,374 $28,440 14.2 years
18 kW $3.27 $41,152 $32,889 13.9 years
20 kW $3.19 $44,730 $37,538 13.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar company you choose will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, including:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.

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 Dover, PA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dover?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Dover?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it commonly 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 way to go if you want to get the most savings.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for 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."

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 needs 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 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.

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