Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clay, NY (Mar 2023)
- Clay Solar Installation Cost: $9,561
- 25-Year Savings: $6,605
- Payback Period: 14.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clay
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar in Clay.
In Clay, solar panels cost about 2.95 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in Clay is around 4.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $9,561 for a solar installation, or $13,672 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Clay depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Despite the large upfront cost, the average Clay homeowner can save around $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Clay
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,914 |
| 3 years | $-7,621 |
| 5 years | $-6,328 |
| 7 years | $-5,034 |
| 9 years | $-3,741 |
| 11 years | $-2,448 |
| 13 years | $-1,155 |
| 15 years | $139 |
| 17 years | $1,432 |
| 19 years | $2,725 |
| 21 years | $4,018 |
| 23 years | $5,312 |
| 25 years | $6,605 |
Top Solar Installers in Clay
When going solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long term because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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
Tesla Energy
- 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 Clay
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clay
There are many factors that can determine your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,950 per kilowatt in Clay. The model of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Moreover, solar equipment is more than 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Clay, which can lower, or in some cases completely 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're only able to 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 getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Clay, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. The company's size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $8,055 | 15.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.01 | $16,850 | $11,070 | 15.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.95 | $20,650 | $14,251 | 14.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.89 | $24,284 | $17,596 | 14.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.83 | $27,754 | $21,107 | 14.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.77 | $31,058 | $24,784 | 13.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.71 | $34,196 | $28,625 | 13.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.66 | $37,170 | $32,631 | 13.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
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
Tesla Energy
- 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 Clay, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Clay?
The average cost of solar panels in Clay 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 like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Clay?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can 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 cover 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.