Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Hanover, PA (2024 Update)
- West Hanover Solar Installation Cost: $16,690
- 25-Year Savings: $12,837
- Payback Period: 16.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Hanover
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in West Hanover.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in West Hanover, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Since a 6.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in West Hanover, the average price of going solar will be about $16,690 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs will most likely vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average West Hanover homeowners see about $14,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West Hanover
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,413 |
| 3 years | $-12,859 |
| 5 years | $-10,304 |
| 7 years | $-7,750 |
| 9 years | $-5,196 |
| 11 years | $-2,641 |
| 13 years | $-87 |
| 15 years | $2,467 |
| 17 years | $5,022 |
| 19 years | $7,576 |
| 21 years | $10,131 |
| 23 years | $12,685 |
| 25 years | $15,239 |
Top Solar Installers in West Hanover
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be challenging. The payback period of solar panels will vary based on factors like your location and energy consumption, but working with a solar installer can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you apply for incentives available in your area.
If you're looking for a solar company in West Hanover, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 West Hanover
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Hanover
For many West Hanover homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in West Hanover, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in West Hanover, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,550 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the West Hanover average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in West Hanover have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to solar energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in West Hanover, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $6,671 | 17.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.62 | $20,278 | $9,292 | 17.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.55 | $24,850 | $12,112 | 16.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.48 | $29,224 | $15,131 | 16.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.41 | $33,398 | $18,348 | 16.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.34 | $37,374 | $21,765 | 15.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.27 | $41,152 | $25,380 | 15.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,730 | $29,194 | 15.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
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 West Hanover, PA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Hanover?
The average cost of solar panels in West Hanover 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 things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in West Hanover?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it usually 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 way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in West Hanover, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had 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.