Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lower Burrell, PA (2024 Update)
- Lower Burrell Solar Installation Cost: $17,475
- 25-Year Savings: $11,382
- Payback Period: 18.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lower Burrell
Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Lower Burrell.
The average cost of a solar system in Lower Burrell is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 7.0-kW system would cost about $17,475 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 may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Lower Burrell homeowner can save around $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Lower Burrell for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Lower Burrell
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,115 |
| 3 years | $-13,395 |
| 5 years | $-10,675 |
| 7 years | $-7,955 |
| 9 years | $-5,236 |
| 11 years | $-2,516 |
| 13 years | $204 |
| 15 years | $2,924 |
| 17 years | $5,644 |
| 19 years | $8,364 |
| 21 years | $11,083 |
| 23 years | $13,803 |
| 25 years | $16,523 |
Top Solar Installers in Lower Burrell
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it involves extra time and know-how. For that reason, most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. A solar installer can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and part replacements.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Lower Burrell:
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 Lower Burrell
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lower Burrell
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Lower Burrell: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,550.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about 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 for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Lower Burrell, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $4,915 | 19.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $6,950 | 18.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $9,185 | 18.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $11,618 | 17.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $14,251 | 17.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $17,082 | 17.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $20,111 | 16.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $23,340 | 16.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you opt for will influence not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been 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 Lower Burrell, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Lower Burrell?
The average cost of solar panels in Lower Burrell 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 stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Lower Burrell?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Lower Burrell is currently $192,200, which means you can look forward to a value of about $7,880 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Lower Burrell is a worthwhile investment.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels 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 generally 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.