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

  • Waterford Solar Installation Cost: $11,457
  • 25-Year Savings: $6,948
  • Payback Period: 17.7 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 Waterford

We break down average solar pricing in Waterford.

In Waterford, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Waterford is around 4.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,457 for a solar installation, or $16,384 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Waterford see about $14,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a personalized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Waterford

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,548
3 years $-8,731
5 years $-6,914
7 years $-5,097
9 years $-3,279
11 years $-1,462
13 years $355
15 years $2,172
17 years $3,989
19 years $5,806
21 years $7,623
23 years $9,441
25 years $11,258

Top Solar Installers in Waterford

Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra energy and handiness. That's one of the reasons the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be best for you.

You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Waterford:

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 Waterford

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Waterford

The cost of installing a solar system in Waterford can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.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 opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Waterford average.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar installers in Waterford offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Waterford homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you go with to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Waterford, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within your budget.

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 $5,743 18.4 years
8 kW $3.72 $20,849 $8,066 18.0 years
10 kW $3.65 $25,550 $10,594 17.7 years
12 kW $3.58 $30,047 $13,326 17.3 years
14 kW $3.50 $34,339 $16,262 17.0 years
16 kW $3.43 $38,427 $19,403 16.6 years
18 kW $3.36 $42,311 $22,748 16.3 years
20 kW $3.29 $45,990 $26,298 15.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you go with will influence 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 some important things you should keep in mind, including:

  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s essential to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
  • 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.

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 Waterford, NY Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Waterford?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, 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 higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Waterford?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Waterford. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Is making the switch to solar worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption 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 get 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.

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