Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sunbury, PA (2024 Update)
- Sunbury Solar Installation Cost: $17,125
- 25-Year Savings: $12,010
- Payback Period: 17.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sunbury
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Sunbury.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Sunbury, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 6.9-kW system would cost about $17,125 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Sunbury homeowner can save about $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To receive a free quote from a top solar installation company in Sunbury, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sunbury
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,780 |
| 3 years | $-13,088 |
| 5 years | $-10,397 |
| 7 years | $-7,706 |
| 9 years | $-5,015 |
| 11 years | $-2,324 |
| 13 years | $368 |
| 15 years | $3,059 |
| 17 years | $5,750 |
| 19 years | $8,441 |
| 21 years | $11,132 |
| 23 years | $13,823 |
| 25 years | $16,515 |
Top Solar Installers in Sunbury
Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be challenging. Plus, if you’re unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Sunbury
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sunbury
For many Sunbury homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Sunbury, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
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 important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Sunbury, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries 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 decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Sunbury is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, 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 | $5,660 | 18.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $7,944 | 18.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $10,427 | 17.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $13,108 | 17.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $15,989 | 16.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $19,068 | 16.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $22,346 | 16.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $25,823 | 15.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in Sunbury, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Sunbury, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Sunbury?
This is a difficult 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 cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Sunbury?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 maximize your savings.
Is it worth going solar in Sunbury?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Sunbury?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 higher level 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.