Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rochester, MA (2024 Update)
- Rochester Solar Installation Cost: $11,760
- 25-Year Savings: $15,967
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rochester
We go over average solar pricing in Rochester.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Rochester it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Rochester, most homeowners require a 4.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,760, or $16,817 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Rochester depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the high initial cost, the average Rochester homeowner can save around $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Rochester that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Rochester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,159 |
| 3 years | $-6,956 |
| 5 years | $-3,754 |
| 7 years | $-551 |
| 9 years | $2,652 |
| 11 years | $5,854 |
| 13 years | $9,057 |
| 15 years | $12,259 |
| 17 years | $15,462 |
| 19 years | $18,665 |
| 21 years | $21,867 |
| 23 years | $25,070 |
| 25 years | $28,273 |
Top Solar Installers in Rochester
Installing solar panels on your own can be a stressful project, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a licensed solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Rochester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rochester
While the average cost of a solar system in Rochester is $11,760, your actual cost may differ. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $4,060. The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Rochester homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can play a part in determining your pricing. Rochester’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $17,766 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $24,142 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $30,746 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $37,577 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $44,636 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $51,922 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $59,435 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $67,176 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model 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.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a quality company.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Rochester, MA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Rochester?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Rochester?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Rochester. 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 prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Rochester?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
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 are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.