Solar Panel Cost Guide in Schuylkill, PA (2024 Update)

  • Schuylkill Solar Installation Cost: $16,246
  • 25-Year Savings: $14,976
  • Payback Period: 15.2 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 Schuylkill

See how much it might cost to go solar in Schuylkill.

In Schuylkill, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Schuylkill, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,246, or $23,232 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Schuylkill homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Schuylkill homeowner can save around $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

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

Solar savings over time in Schuylkill

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-14,955
3 years $-12,375
5 years $-9,794
7 years $-7,214
9 years $-4,633
11 years $-2,053
13 years $528
15 years $3,108
17 years $5,689
19 years $8,270
21 years $10,850
23 years $13,431
25 years $16,011

Top Solar Installers in Schuylkill

Although you can install solar panels on your own, it involves extra energy and knowledge. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

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 Schuylkill

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Schuylkill

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Schuylkill: 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

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater 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

If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a popular route because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Schuylkill homeowners, they can also add to 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

A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Schuylkill is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 choose a 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 $8,948 15.9 years
8 kW $3.62 $20,278 $12,329 15.5 years
10 kW $3.55 $24,850 $15,908 15.2 years
12 kW $3.48 $29,224 $19,686 14.9 years
14 kW $3.41 $33,398 $23,662 14.6 years
16 kW $3.34 $37,374 $27,838 14.3 years
18 kW $3.27 $41,152 $32,212 14.0 years
20 kW $3.19 $44,730 $36,785 13.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies available in Schuylkill, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry different brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.

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 Schuylkill, PA Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Schuylkill?

This is a hard 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Schuylkill?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically 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 option if you want to get the most savings.

How will solar panels impact my property value?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Schuylkill is currently $545,084, so you could be looking at a value of about $22,348 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Schuylkill is a fruitful investment.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size 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 usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.

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