Solar Panel Cost Guide in New Castle, NY (2024 Update)

  • New Castle Solar Installation Cost: $10,696
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,046
  • Payback Period: 8.7 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 New Castle

Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in New Castle.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in New Castle generally cost about 4.The average solar panel system size in New Castle is around 4.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $10,696 for a solar installation, or $15,295 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary based on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average New Castle homeowners see about $28,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in New Castle, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in New Castle

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-8,816
3 years $-5,057
5 years $-1,298
7 years $2,462
9 years $6,221
11 years $9,981
13 years $13,740
15 years $17,499
17 years $21,259
19 years $25,018
21 years $28,777
23 years $32,537
25 years $36,296

Top Solar Installers in New Castle

Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming task, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. A solar company can also help save you money in the long run by offering warranties, repairs and component replacements.

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

★★★★★
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 New Castle

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in New Castle

Although the average cost of a solar system in New Castle is $10,696, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,650 per kilowatt in New Castle.The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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 electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the New Castle average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in New Castle to be too costly, 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 result in higher prices over time due to interest.Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for New Castle 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 cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in New Castle is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions 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 $28,044 9.1 years
8 kW $3.72 $20,849 $37,801 8.9 years
10 kW $3.65 $25,550 $47,763 8.7 years
12 kW $3.58 $30,047 $57,928 8.5 years
14 kW $3.50 $34,339 $68,298 8.4 years
16 kW $3.43 $38,427 $78,873 8.2 years
18 kW $3.36 $42,311 $89,652 8.0 years
20 kW $3.29 $45,990 $100,635 7.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Reputation: Long-standing companies 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 quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
  • Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.

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 New Castle, NY Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in New Castle?

The average cost of solar panels in New Castle 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 type 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 New Castle?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.

Is it worth going solar in New Castle?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How long do solar panels last in New Castle?

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 opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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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