Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden City South, NY (2024 Update)
- Garden City South Solar Installation Cost: $9,833
- 25-Year Savings: $14,424
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garden City South
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Garden City South.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Garden City South it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Garden City South, most homeowners require a 3.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $9,833, or $14,061 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.Even with the large upfront cost, the average Garden City South homeowner can save around $22,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Garden City South that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Garden City South
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,307 |
| 3 years | $-5,257 |
| 5 years | $-2,206 |
| 7 years | $845 |
| 9 years | $3,896 |
| 11 years | $6,946 |
| 13 years | $9,997 |
| 15 years | $13,048 |
| 17 years | $16,098 |
| 19 years | $19,149 |
| 21 years | $22,200 |
| 23 years | $25,250 |
| 25 years | $28,301 |
Top Solar Installers in Garden City South
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Taking advantage of a solar company can make switching to solar power much easier. Another upside of working with a solar installer is that they can help you maximize your investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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 Garden City South
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden City South
Although the average cost of a solar system in Garden City South is $9,833, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system 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 chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you only 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 time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Garden City South homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Garden City South homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar system can impact your pricing. Garden City South’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of greater resources and better 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 promotion 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 | $18,935 | 11.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $25,656 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $32,580 | 11.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $39,710 | 10.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $47,043 | 10.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $54,581 | 10.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $62,324 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $70,271 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer different brands and types of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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 $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real 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 use.
Are solar panels free in Garden City South?
Solar panels aren’t free in Garden City South, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Garden City South?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Garden City South?
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 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.