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

  • Cheektowaga Solar Installation Cost: $11,696
  • 25-Year Savings: $6,243
  • Payback Period: 18.6 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 Cheektowaga

See how much it might cost to go solar in Cheektowaga.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Cheektowaga, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 4.6-kW system would cost about $11,696 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember 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.With average savings of about $13,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Cheektowaga find investing in solar has a decent ROI.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Cheektowaga

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,833
3 years $-9,108
5 years $-7,383
7 years $-5,657
9 years $-3,932
11 years $-2,207
13 years $-481
15 years $1,244
17 years $2,969
19 years $4,695
21 years $6,420
23 years $8,145
25 years $9,870

Top Solar Installers in Cheektowaga

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. A solar installer can also help save you money in the long run by providing warranties, repairs and system component replacements.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:

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 Cheektowaga

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cheektowaga

The cost of installing a solar system in Cheektowaga can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant 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 installing solar panels. 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 kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Cheektowaga, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you go with to handle your switch to sustainable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Cheektowaga, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.

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 $4,629 19.4 years
8 kW $3.72 $20,849 $6,581 19.0 years
10 kW $3.65 $25,550 $8,737 18.6 years
12 kW $3.58 $30,047 $11,097 18.3 years
14 kW $3.50 $34,339 $13,662 17.9 years
16 kW $3.43 $38,427 $16,431 17.5 years
18 kW $3.36 $42,311 $19,405 17.1 years
20 kW $3.29 $45,990 $22,583 16.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies to choose from in Cheektowaga, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of 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 satisfied reviews from past 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 Cheektowaga, NY Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Cheektowaga is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can solar panels significantly reduce my energy bills?

It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Cheektowaga, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How long do solar panels last in Cheektowaga?

Even 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.

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