Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brentwood, NY (2023 Update)
- Brentwood Solar Installation Cost: $8,026
- 25-Year Savings: $14,345
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brentwood
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Brentwood.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Brentwood, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.95 per watt. The average Brentwood homeowner needs a 3.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $8,033 with the federal tax credit, or $11,487 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Brentwood based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Brentwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,951 |
| 3 years | $-7,802 |
| 5 years | $-7,653 |
| 7 years | $-7,504 |
| 9 years | $-7,355 |
| 11 years | $-7,206 |
| 13 years | $-7,056 |
| 15 years | $-6,907 |
| 17 years | $-6,758 |
| 19 years | $-6,609 |
| 21 years | $-6,460 |
| 23 years | $-6,311 |
| 25 years | $-6,162 |
Top Solar Installers in Brentwood
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Brentwood, optimizing your ROI.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Brentwood, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Brentwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brentwood
The cost of installing a solar system in Brentwood can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,950. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Brentwood to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Brentwood is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, you'll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points. 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 | $3.07 | $12,886 | $21,650 | 9.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.01 | $16,850 | $29,197 | 9.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.95 | $20,650 | $36,909 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.89 | $24,284 | $44,786 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.83 | $27,754 | $52,829 | 8.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.77 | $31,058 | $61,037 | 8.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.71 | $34,196 | $69,410 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.66 | $37,170 | $77,948 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Brentwood, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Brentwood, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Brentwood?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $14,750 for a 5-kW system and $29,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Brentwood?
You can't get solar panels for free in Brentwood. 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 want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,151.18 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.