Solar Panel Cost Guide in Manhattan, KS (2024 Update)
- Manhattan Solar Installation Cost: $18,149
- 25-Year Savings: $32,759
- Payback Period: 9.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Manhattan
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Manhattan.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Manhattan generally cost around 3.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Manhattan, most homeowners require a 7.8-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $18,149, or $25,953 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Manhattan homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the large upfront cost, the average Manhattan homeowner can save about $23,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Manhattan
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,804 |
| 3 years | $-14,116 |
| 5 years | $-11,427 |
| 7 years | $-8,738 |
| 9 years | $-6,049 |
| 11 years | $-3,360 |
| 13 years | $-672 |
| 15 years | $2,017 |
| 17 years | $4,706 |
| 19 years | $7,395 |
| 21 years | $10,084 |
| 23 years | $12,773 |
| 25 years | $15,461 |
Top Solar Installers in Manhattan
DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Taking advantage of a solar panel installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Manhattan, thereby optimizing your ROI.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Manhattan
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Manhattan
Even though the average cost of a solar system in Manhattan is $18,149, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Manhattan, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,340 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and type 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 have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space 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 a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid choice because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar system can impact how much it costs. Manhattan’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.47 | $14,589 | $21,609 | 10.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.41 | $19,078 | $29,186 | 9.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.34 | $23,380 | $36,950 | 9.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.27 | $27,495 | $44,901 | 9.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.21 | $31,423 | $53,040 | 9.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.14 | $35,164 | $61,365 | 9.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.07 | $38,717 | $69,877 | 8.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.01 | $42,084 | $78,577 | 8.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Manhattan, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies offer different panels.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Manhattan, KS Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Manhattan?
The average cost of solar panels in Manhattan is about $16,700 for a 5-kW system and $33,400 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 use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Manhattan?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it often 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.
How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,206.61 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Manhattan?
Even 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 opt 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.