Solar Panel Cost Guide in Montoursville, PA (2024 Update)
- Montoursville Solar Installation Cost: $17,499
- 25-Year Savings: $14,886
- Payback Period: 15.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Montoursville
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Montoursville.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Montoursville is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Montoursville, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,499, or $25,024 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $15,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Montoursville for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Montoursville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,021 |
| 3 years | $-13,066 |
| 5 years | $-10,111 |
| 7 years | $-7,156 |
| 9 years | $-4,201 |
| 11 years | $-1,247 |
| 13 years | $1,708 |
| 15 years | $4,663 |
| 17 years | $7,618 |
| 19 years | $10,573 |
| 21 years | $13,528 |
| 23 years | $16,483 |
| 25 years | $19,438 |
Top Solar Installers in Montoursville
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. Because solar panels are exposed to temperature swings and extreme weather, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Montoursville:
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 Montoursville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Montoursville
While the average cost of a solar system in Montoursville is $17,499, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,550 per kilowatt in Montoursville.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Montoursville, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panels can impact your pricing. Montoursville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of 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 promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $7,887 | 16.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $10,913 | 16.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $14,139 | 15.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $17,563 | 15.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $21,186 | 15.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $25,008 | 15.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $29,028 | 14.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $33,248 | 14.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: When reading through your solar company’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.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar energy is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
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 Montoursville, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Montoursville?
This is a tough 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 more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Montoursville?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Montoursville. 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’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Montoursville?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future energy bills.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs 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 home 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.