Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cheektowaga, NY (Sep 2022)
- Cheektowaga Solar Installation Cost: $9,458
- 25-Year Savings: $6,238
- Payback Period: 15.1 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated 9/16/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cheektowaga
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Cheektowaga.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Cheektowaga, the average cost of solar panels is $3 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Cheektowaga is around 4.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $9,458 for a solar installation, or $6,999 after the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Despite the high initial cost, the average Cheektowaga homeowner can save around $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
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 Cheektowaga
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,830 |
| 3 years | $-7,574 |
| 5 years | $-6,319 |
| 7 years | $-5,063 |
| 9 years | $-3,807 |
| 11 years | $-2,552 |
| 13 years | $-1,296 |
| 15 years | $-41 |
| 17 years | $1,215 |
| 19 years | $2,471 |
| 21 years | $3,726 |
| 23 years | $4,982 |
| 25 years | $6,238 |
Top Solar Installers in Cheektowaga
Installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another perk of going with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your return of investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. 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 Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Cheektowaga
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cheektowaga
While the average cost of solar panels in Cheektowaga is $9,458, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment Size
The size of the system you need is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you're looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Cheektowaga homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it's important to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Cheektowaga is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you'll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $7,686 | 15.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.01 | $16,850 | $10,579 | 15.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.95 | $20,650 | $13,637 | 15.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.89 | $24,284 | $16,860 | 14.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.83 | $27,754 | $20,248 | 14.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.77 | $31,058 | $23,801 | 14.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.71 | $34,196 | $27,520 | 13.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.66 | $37,170 | $31,403 | 13.6 years |
Solar Incentives in Cheektowaga
| Name | Residential Solar Tax Credit |
| Incentive Amount | 25% for solar-electric (PV) and solar-thermal systems; for third-party owned systems this is in reference to the aggregate amount owed under the contract rather than the amount owed in any single year |
| Incentive Max | $5,000 for solar-energy systems |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
| Name | Local Option - Real Property Tax Exemption for Green Buildings |
| Incentive Amount | Upon local adoption, 20% - 100% of real property taxes owed; varies by year and certification level |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | NY-Sun PV Incentive Program (Residential, Low-Income, and Small Business) |
| Incentive Amount | Incentive rates step down over time as MW goals are met. Incentive rates as of 11/27/2019 are: Residential: Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed) Con Edison Region: $0.30/W Upstate Region: $0.35/W Low-to-Moderate income customers: $0.80/W (up to 10 kW) Small Commercial (Non-Residential):Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed) Con Edison Region: $0.60/W Up State Region: $0.45/W Multifamily Affordable Housing Adder: additional $0.40/W (up to 50 kW) |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Home Performance with ENERGY STAR |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | NY Green Bank |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Local Option - Solar Sales Tax Exemption |
| Incentive Amount | Upon local authorization, 100% exemption from local sales tax |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Solar Sales Tax Exemption |
| Incentive Amount | 100% exemption from state sales tax |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Energy Conservation Improvements Property Tax Exemption |
| Incentive Amount | 100% of the value added to the residence by the improvements |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | NY-Sun Loan Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Local Option - Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption |
| Incentive Amount | 100% exemption for 15 years (unless local jurisdiction has opted out) |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Cheektowaga, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound 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 positive reviews from past customers.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you hire.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Cheektowaga, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cheektowaga?
The average cost of solar panels in Cheektowaga is about $14,750 for a 5-kW system and $29,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the model 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?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 their energy production 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.
