Solar Panel Cost Guide in Park Forest Village, PA (2024 Update)
- Park Forest Village Solar Installation Cost: $17,416
- 25-Year Savings: $8,534
- Payback Period: 20.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Park Forest Village
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Park Forest Village.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Park Forest Village typically cost about 4.The average Park Forest Village homeowner needs a 7.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,416 with the federal tax credit, or $24,905 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Park Forest Village homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Park Forest Village homeowners see about $11,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a vetted solar installer in Park Forest Village, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Park Forest Village
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,333 |
| 3 years | $-14,167 |
| 5 years | $-12,002 |
| 7 years | $-9,836 |
| 9 years | $-7,670 |
| 11 years | $-5,504 |
| 13 years | $-3,338 |
| 15 years | $-1,172 |
| 17 years | $993 |
| 19 years | $3,159 |
| 21 years | $5,325 |
| 23 years | $7,491 |
| 25 years | $9,657 |
Top Solar Installers in Park Forest Village
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installer since handling can be a challenging project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and reduce the cost of maintenance in the long run.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 Park Forest Village
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Park Forest Village
There are a number of criteria that can play into your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,550 per kilowatt in Park Forest Village.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Park Forest Village homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Park Forest Village homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. 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 choose to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Park Forest Village, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger 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 | $2,509 | 21.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $3,743 | 21.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $5,176 | 20.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $6,808 | 20.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $8,638 | 19.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $10,667 | 19.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $12,895 | 19.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $15,322 | 18.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose greatly affects your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you go with.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past 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 Park Forest Village, PA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Park Forest Village?
The average cost of solar panels in Park Forest Village 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.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How long do solar panels last in Park Forest Village?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.