Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rochester, MA (2024 Update)
- Rochester Solar Installation Cost: $11,760
- 25-Year Savings: $15,967
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rochester
We go over average solar pricing in Rochester.
In Rochester, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Since a 4.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Rochester, the average price of going solar will be about $11,760 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Even with the high initial cost, the average Rochester homeowner can save around $22,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Rochester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,159 |
| 3 years | $-6,956 |
| 5 years | $-3,754 |
| 7 years | $-551 |
| 9 years | $2,652 |
| 11 years | $5,854 |
| 13 years | $9,057 |
| 15 years | $12,259 |
| 17 years | $15,462 |
| 19 years | $18,665 |
| 21 years | $21,867 |
| 23 years | $25,070 |
| 25 years | $28,273 |
Top Solar Installers in Rochester
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it takes extra effort and know-how. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your home.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 Rochester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rochester
For many Rochester homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Rochester, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $4,060 per kilowatt in Rochester.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Rochester, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Rochester, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and 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 additional services like electric vehicle 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $17,766 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $24,142 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $30,746 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $37,577 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $44,636 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $51,922 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $59,435 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $67,176 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will impact not only your overall 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 consider, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Rochester, MA Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rochester?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Rochester?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Rochester. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Rochester?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.