Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mount Lebanon, PA (2024 Update)
- Mount Lebanon Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
- 25-Year Savings: $14,021
- Payback Period: 16.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mount Lebanon
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Mount Lebanon.
The average cost of solar panels in Mount Lebanon is 4 per watt.Since a 7.0-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Mount Lebanon, the average price of going solar will be about $17,320 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are only estimates, and your own solar costs will vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Mount Lebanon
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,683 |
| 3 years | $-12,410 |
| 5 years | $-9,136 |
| 7 years | $-5,862 |
| 9 years | $-2,588 |
| 11 years | $686 |
| 13 years | $3,960 |
| 15 years | $7,233 |
| 17 years | $10,507 |
| 19 years | $13,781 |
| 21 years | $17,055 |
| 23 years | $20,329 |
| 25 years | $23,603 |
Top Solar Installers in Mount Lebanon
When going solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your location and energy use, but going with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Mount Lebanon, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Mount Lebanon
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mount Lebanon
The cost of installing a solar system in Mount Lebanon can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Mount Lebanon, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited 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 a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid route because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Mount Lebanon homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you select will impact your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also is within 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 | $7,273 | 17.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $10,096 | 16.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $13,116 | 16.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $16,336 | 16.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $19,755 | 15.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $23,372 | 15.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $27,188 | 15.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $31,203 | 14.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies to choose from in Mount Lebanon, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar panels, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Mount Lebanon, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mount Lebanon?
The average cost of solar panels in Mount Lebanon 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Mount Lebanon?
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 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.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Mount Lebanon?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.