Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lackawanna, NY (2024 Update)

  • Lackawanna Solar Installation Cost: $11,696
  • 25-Year Savings: $6,285
  • Payback Period: 18.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lackawanna

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Lackawanna.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Lackawanna typically cost around 4.The average solar panel system size in Lackawanna is around 4.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,696 for a solar installation, or $16,725 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Lackawanna homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Lackawanna can save around $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Lackawanna for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Lackawanna

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-10,829
3 years$-9,094
5 years$-7,360
7 years$-5,625
9 years$-3,891
11 years$-2,156
13 years$-422
15 years$1,313
17 years$3,047
19 years$4,782
21 years$6,516
23 years$8,251
25 years$9,985

Top Solar Installers in Lackawanna

Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra labor and knowledge. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, if you aren’t sure what brand of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.

If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Lackawanna:

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Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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 Lackawanna

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lackawanna

The cost of installing a solar system in Lackawanna can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,650.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Lackawanna average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are an affordable choice because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration 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

A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Lackawanna is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.80$15,943$4,68519.3 years
8 kW$3.72$20,849$6,65519.0 years
10 kW$3.65$25,550$8,83018.6 years
12 kW$3.58$30,047$11,20918.2 years
14 kW$3.50$34,339$13,79317.8 years
16 kW$3.43$38,427$16,58017.5 years
18 kW$3.36$42,311$19,57317.1 years
20 kW$3.29$45,990$22,77016.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
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Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Lackawanna, NY Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lackawanna?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Lackawanna?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Lackawanna. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Lackawanna?

The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces 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 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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having 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.