Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cayuga Heights, NY (2024 Update)
- Cayuga Heights Solar Installation Cost: $11,905
- 25-Year Savings: $5,178
- Payback Period: 20.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cayuga Heights
We go over average solar pricing in Cayuga Heights.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Cayuga Heights, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Cayuga Heights, most homeowners require a 4.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,905, or $17,024 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Cayuga Heights based on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Cayuga Heights homeowner can save about $12,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Cayuga Heights that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Cayuga Heights
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,080 |
| 3 years | $-9,428 |
| 5 years | $-7,776 |
| 7 years | $-6,124 |
| 9 years | $-4,472 |
| 11 years | $-2,820 |
| 13 years | $-1,169 |
| 15 years | $483 |
| 17 years | $2,135 |
| 19 years | $3,787 |
| 21 years | $5,439 |
| 23 years | $7,091 |
| 25 years | $8,743 |
Top Solar Installers in Cayuga Heights
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra energy and expertise. For that reason, the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for your home.
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 near you:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Cayuga Heights
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cayuga Heights
The cost of installing a solar system in Cayuga Heights can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Cayuga Heights, one of the most crucial 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 determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Cayuga Heights, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cayuga Heights to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to green energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Cayuga Heights, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.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 decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for 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 | $3.80 | $15,943 | $3,114 | 20.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $4,560 | 20.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $6,212 | 20.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $8,067 | 19.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $10,127 | 19.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $12,391 | 18.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $14,860 | 18.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $17,533 | 18.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, such as:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Contract: It’s important to look over 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Cayuga Heights, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cayuga Heights?
The average cost of solar panels in Cayuga Heights is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Cayuga Heights?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
How will having solar panels impact my property value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Cayuga Heights is currently $225,813, which means you can expect a value of about $9,258 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Cayuga Heights is a fruitful investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.