Solar Panel Cost Guide in Country Knolls, NY (2024 Update)

  • Country Knolls Solar Installation Cost: $11,457
  • 25-Year Savings: $6,244
  • Payback Period: 18.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Country Knolls

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Country Knolls.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Country Knolls it’s 4 per watt.The average Country Knolls homeowner needs a 4.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,457 with the federal tax credit, or $16,384 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $13,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

To get a free estimate from a top solar installer in Country Knolls, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Country Knolls

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-10,631
3 years$-8,979
5 years$-7,327
7 years$-5,675
9 years$-4,023
11 years$-2,372
13 years$-720
15 years$932
17 years$2,584
19 years$4,236
21 years$5,888
23 years$7,540
25 years$9,191

Top Solar Installers in Country Knolls

Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra time and knowledge. For that reason, the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Country Knolls, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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 Country Knolls

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Country Knolls

For many Country Knolls homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Country Knolls, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in Country Knolls, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and kind of equipment you choose 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Country Knolls to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can impact your pricing. Country Knolls’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.80$15,943$4,80219.2 years
8 kW$3.72$20,849$6,81118.8 years
10 kW$3.65$25,550$9,02518.5 years
12 kW$3.58$30,047$11,44318.1 years
14 kW$3.50$34,339$14,06617.7 years
16 kW$3.43$38,427$16,89317.4 years
18 kW$3.36$42,311$19,92417.0 years
20 kW$3.29$45,990$23,16016.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar company you opt for will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, such as:

  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer different brands and models of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Country Knolls, NY Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Country Knolls?

The average cost of solar panels in Country Knolls is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things 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 Country Knolls?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because 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 way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $691.50 per year.

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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce 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.