Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dunkirk, NY (2024 Update)

  • Dunkirk Solar Installation Cost: $11,849
  • 25-Year Savings: $6,630
  • Payback Period: 18.3 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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 Dunkirk

We go over average solar pricing in Dunkirk.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Dunkirk it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 4.6-kW system would cost about $11,849 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large initial cost, the average Dunkirk homeowner can save about $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in Dunkirk for a custom quote.

Solar savings over time in Dunkirk

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,940
3 years $-9,123
5 years $-7,306
7 years $-5,489
9 years $-3,672
11 years $-1,855
13 years $-38
15 years $1,780
17 years $3,597
19 years $5,414
21 years $7,231
23 years $9,048
25 years $10,865

Top Solar Installers in Dunkirk

Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra energy and knowledge. For that reason, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance in the long run.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Dunkirk, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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

See all of the solar companies in Dunkirk

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dunkirk

While the average cost of a solar system in Dunkirk is $11,849, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The 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 over time on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Dunkirk average.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in Dunkirk have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Dunkirk homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Dunkirk, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials 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 $3.80 $15,943 $5,025 19.0 years
8 kW $3.72 $20,849 $7,109 18.6 years
10 kW $3.65 $25,550 $9,397 18.3 years
12 kW $3.58 $30,047 $11,889 17.9 years
14 kW $3.50 $34,339 $14,586 17.5 years
16 kW $3.43 $38,427 $17,488 17.2 years
18 kW $3.36 $42,311 $20,594 16.8 years
20 kW $3.29 $45,990 $23,904 16.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies to choose from in Dunkirk, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
  • 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 affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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

EcoWatch's Dunkirk, NY Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Dunkirk?

The average cost of solar panels in Dunkirk 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 certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Dunkirk?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 bang for your buck from going solar.

How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?

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 $698.94 per year.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although 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 how much 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.

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