Solar Panel Cost Guide in Schenectady, NY (2024 Update)
- Schenectady Solar Installation Cost: $11,361
- 25-Year Savings: $7,025
- Payback Period: 17.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Schenectady
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Schenectady.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Schenectady it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Schenectady is around 4.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,361 for a solar installation, or $16,246 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the high initial cost, the average Schenectady homeowner can save around $14,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in Schenectady for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Schenectady
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,452 |
| 3 years | $-8,635 |
| 5 years | $-6,818 |
| 7 years | $-5,001 |
| 9 years | $-3,184 |
| 11 years | $-1,367 |
| 13 years | $451 |
| 15 years | $2,268 |
| 17 years | $4,085 |
| 19 years | $5,902 |
| 21 years | $7,719 |
| 23 years | $9,536 |
| 25 years | $11,353 |
Top Solar Installers in Schenectady
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, opting for a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Schenectady
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Schenectady
For many Schenectady homeowners, the decision to go solar comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Schenectady, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant 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 around $3,650 per kilowatt in Schenectady.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Schenectady homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. 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
The solar company you pick will influence your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, 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 | $5,926 | 18.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $8,310 | 17.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $10,898 | 17.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $13,691 | 17.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $16,689 | 16.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $19,890 | 16.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $23,296 | 16.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $26,907 | 15.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
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 Schenectady, NY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Schenectady?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Schenectady?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 the amount of 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 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.