Solar Panel Cost Guide in Penn Hills, PA (2024 Update)

  • Penn Hills Solar Installation Cost: $17,320
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,805
  • Payback Period: 16.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Penn Hills

Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Penn Hills.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Penn Hills, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Penn Hills, most homeowners require a 7.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,320, or $24,768 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Penn Hills based on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Penn Hills

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 Penn Hills

Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since installing solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. The expertise that solar installers offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what brand of solar equipment you need.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Penn Hills

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Penn Hills

Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Penn Hills: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,550.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only 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 solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Penn Hills, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar panels can influence how much it costs. Penn Hills’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies 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 find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for 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 $7,087 17.2 years
8 kW $3.62 $20,278 $9,847 16.8 years
10 kW $3.55 $24,850 $12,805 16.5 years
12 kW $3.48 $29,224 $15,963 16.2 years
14 kW $3.41 $33,398 $19,319 15.8 years
16 kW $3.34 $37,374 $22,874 15.5 years
18 kW $3.27 $41,152 $26,628 15.2 years
20 kW $3.19 $44,730 $30,581 14.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of companies available in Penn Hills, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Penn Hills, PA Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Penn Hills?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Penn Hills?

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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Penn Hills?

Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future power bills.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.

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