Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden City South, NY (Sep 2022)
- Garden City South Solar Installation Cost: $7,950
- 25-Year Savings: $14,421
- Payback Period: 8.9 Years
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Updated 9/16/2022
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garden City South
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Garden City South.
In Garden City South, solar panels cost about $3 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in Garden City South is around 3.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $7,950 for a solar installation, or $5,883 after the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind 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 solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Garden City South for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Garden City South
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,055 |
| 3 years | $-5,266 |
| 5 years | $-3,476 |
| 7 years | $-1,686 |
| 9 years | $103 |
| 11 years | $1,893 |
| 13 years | $3,683 |
| 15 years | $5,472 |
| 17 years | $7,262 |
| 19 years | $9,052 |
| 21 years | $10,841 |
| 23 years | $12,631 |
| 25 years | $14,421 |
Top Solar Installers in Garden City South
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it requires extra effort and know-how. Because of that, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Garden City South, thereby optimizing your ROI.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Garden City South, we've 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
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 Garden City South
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden City South
For many Garden City South homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Garden City South, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment Size
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Garden City South, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,950 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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 add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Garden City South to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in 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 putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Garden City South, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.
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 | $21,993 | 9.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.01 | $16,850 | $29,654 | 9.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.95 | $20,650 | $37,480 | 8.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.89 | $24,284 | $45,472 | 8.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.83 | $27,754 | $53,629 | 8.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.77 | $31,058 | $61,951 | 8.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.71 | $34,196 | $70,438 | 8.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.66 | $37,170 | $79,091 | 8.0 years |
Solar Incentives in Garden City South
| 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
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have various brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Garden City South, NY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Garden City South?
The average cost of solar panels in Garden City South is about $14,750 for a 5-kW system and $29,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Garden City South?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably 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 solar panels."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.
