Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Rochester, NY (2024 Update)
- East Rochester Solar Installation Cost: $10,653
- 25-Year Savings: $8,676
- Payback Period: 15.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Rochester
We go over average solar pricing in East Rochester.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in East Rochester it’s 4 per watt.Because a 4.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in East Rochester, the average price of going solar will be about $10,653 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.With typical savings of about $16,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in East Rochester find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in East Rochester for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in East Rochester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,746 |
| 3 years | $-7,934 |
| 5 years | $-6,122 |
| 7 years | $-4,309 |
| 9 years | $-2,497 |
| 11 years | $-684 |
| 13 years | $1,128 |
| 15 years | $2,941 |
| 17 years | $4,753 |
| 19 years | $6,566 |
| 21 years | $8,378 |
| 23 years | $10,190 |
| 25 years | $12,003 |
Top Solar Installers in East Rochester
When going solar, many homeowners opt to hire a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a professional solar installer can make going solar easier. 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 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 East Rochester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Rochester
Even though the average cost of a solar system in East Rochester is $10,653, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
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 uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,650 per kilowatt in East Rochester.The brand and type of equipment you want 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 come at a higher price 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more 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 East Rochester to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for East Rochester homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can influence how much it costs. East Rochester’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $8,933 | 16.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $12,319 | 15.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $15,910 | 15.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $19,705 | 15.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $23,704 | 14.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $27,908 | 14.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $32,317 | 14.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $36,929 | 13.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in East Rochester, 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:
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panels, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have different brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
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 East Rochester, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Rochester?
The average cost of solar panels in East Rochester 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 stuff such as 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 East Rochester?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically 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 option if you want to maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in East Rochester is currently $187,228, which means you could be looking at a value of about $7,676 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in East Rochester is a fruitful investment.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs 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 account for 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.