Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Fayette, PA (2024 Update)
- North Fayette Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
- 25-Year Savings: $12,456
- Payback Period: 17.4 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in North Fayette
We go over average solar pricing in North Fayette.
In North Fayette, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in North Fayette, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,320, or $24,768 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with.With typical savings of about $14,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in North Fayette find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in North Fayette
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,776 |
| 3 years | $-12,687 |
| 5 years | $-9,597 |
| 7 years | $-6,508 |
| 9 years | $-3,419 |
| 11 years | $-330 |
| 13 years | $2,759 |
| 15 years | $5,848 |
| 17 years | $8,938 |
| 19 years | $12,027 |
| 21 years | $15,116 |
| 23 years | $18,205 |
| 25 years | $21,294 |
Top Solar Installers in North Fayette
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra energy and handiness. That's why most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can benefit from and by offering warranties and repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in North Fayette:
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 North Fayette
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Fayette
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in North Fayette: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In general, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in North Fayette, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you pick will affect your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that has 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 | $5,926 | 18.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $8,299 | 17.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $10,870 | 17.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $13,641 | 17.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $16,610 | 16.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $19,778 | 16.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $23,145 | 16.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $26,711 | 15.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
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 North Fayette, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in North Fayette?
The average cost of solar panels in North Fayette 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in North Fayette?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Does North Fayette have a net metering program?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity 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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.