Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Rockaway, NY (2023 Update)
- East Rockaway Solar Installation Cost: $7,947
- 25-Year Savings: $13,407
- Payback Period: 9.3 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Rockaway
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in East Rockaway.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in East Rockaway it's 2.95 per watt. The average solar panel system size in East Rockaway is around 3.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $7,950 for a solar installation, or $11,368 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $21,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in East Rockaway for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in East Rockaway
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,876 |
| 3 years | $-7,733 |
| 5 years | $-7,591 |
| 7 years | $-7,449 |
| 9 years | $-7,306 |
| 11 years | $-7,164 |
| 13 years | $-7,022 |
| 15 years | $-6,879 |
| 17 years | $-6,737 |
| 19 years | $-6,594 |
| 21 years | $-6,452 |
| 23 years | $-6,310 |
| 25 years | $-6,167 |
Top Solar Installers in East Rockaway
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra time and handiness. That's why almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies provide can be useful as well, particularly if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a licensed solar installer 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
See all of the solar companies in East Rockaway
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Rockaway
For many East Rockaway homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in East Rockaway, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, 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 nearly $2,950. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like East Rockaway, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid choice because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it's important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in East Rockaway is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you'll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Additionally, some companies in East Rockaway are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $20,407 | 9.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.01 | $16,850 | $27,540 | 9.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.95 | $20,650 | $34,838 | 9.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.89 | $24,284 | $42,301 | 9.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.83 | $27,754 | $49,929 | 8.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.77 | $31,058 | $57,723 | 8.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.71 | $34,196 | $65,681 | 8.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.66 | $37,170 | $73,805 | 8.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, such as:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're unsure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- 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 considerable role in the company you go with.
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 East Rockaway, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Rockaway?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in East Rockaway?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to 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 savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in East Rockaway is currently $449,198, so you can expect a value of about $18,417 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in East Rockaway is a worthwhile investment.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a 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 buy 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.