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

  • Jenkins Solar Installation Cost: $17,265
  • 25-Year Savings: $8,807
  • Payback Period: 20.4 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Jenkins

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

In Jenkins, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Jenkins is around 6.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,265 for a solar installation, or $24,689 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $12,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

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

Solar savings over time in Jenkins

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,919
3 years$-13,228
5 years$-10,537
7 years$-7,845
9 years$-5,154
11 years$-2,463
13 years$228
15 years$2,919
17 years$5,611
19 years$8,302
21 years$10,993
23 years$13,684
25 years$16,375

Top Solar Installers in Jenkins

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring a solar panel installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Solar warranties and repairs are typically included in the cost of installation when you hire a solar company as well, which can save you more money over time.

If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Jenkins:

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 Jenkins

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Jenkins

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Jenkins: 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 size of the solar system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,550. The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost 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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Jenkins average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Jenkins to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Jenkins, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points 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 access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.69$15,506$2,80921.2 years
8 kW$3.62$20,278$4,14320.8 years
10 kW$3.55$24,850$5,67620.4 years
12 kW$3.48$29,224$7,40819.9 years
14 kW$3.41$33,398$9,33819.5 years
16 kW$3.34$37,374$11,46719.1 years
18 kW$3.27$41,152$13,79518.7 years
20 kW$3.19$44,730$16,32218.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer 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 consider, including:

  • Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.

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 Jenkins, PA Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Jenkins is about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Can you get solar panels for free in Jenkins?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Jenkins. However, you may still be able to install 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.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Jenkins is currently $189,932, so you can look forward to a value of about $7,787 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Jenkins is a worthwhile investment.

How long do solar panels last in Jenkins?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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.