Solar Panel Cost Guide in Middletown, PA (2024 Update)
- Middletown Solar Installation Cost: $16,360
- 25-Year Savings: $14,894
- Payback Period: 15.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Middletown
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Middletown.
In Middletown, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Middletown, most homeowners require a 6.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,360, or $23,395 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in Middletown based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Middletown can save about $15,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To receive a free quote from a top solar installation company in Middletown, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Middletown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,070 |
| 3 years | $-12,489 |
| 5 years | $-9,908 |
| 7 years | $-7,328 |
| 9 years | $-4,747 |
| 11 years | $-2,167 |
| 13 years | $414 |
| 15 years | $2,994 |
| 17 years | $5,575 |
| 19 years | $8,155 |
| 21 years | $10,736 |
| 23 years | $13,317 |
| 25 years | $15,897 |
Top Solar Installers in Middletown
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be challenging. A solar installer can also help save you money in the long run by providing warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
Working with a licensed solar company 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 Middletown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Middletown
For many Middletown homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Middletown, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $3,550. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Middletown, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a popular route because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Middletown is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into your budget.
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 | $8,778 | 16.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $12,101 | 15.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $15,623 | 15.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $19,344 | 15.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $23,264 | 14.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $27,383 | 14.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $31,701 | 14.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $36,217 | 13.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you opt for will influence 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 some important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Contract: Read the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
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 Middletown, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Middletown?
The average cost of solar panels in Middletown is about $17,750 for a 5-kW system and $35,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Middletown?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 savings from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Middletown?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces 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?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.