Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northwest Harbor, NY (2024 Update)

  • Northwest Harbor Solar Installation Cost: $9,930
  • 25-Year Savings: $14,345
  • Payback Period: 11.1 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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 Northwest Harbor

Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Northwest Harbor.

The average cost of solar panels in Northwest Harbor is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Northwest Harbor is around 3.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $9,930 for a solar installation, or $14,200 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $22,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Northwest Harbor that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Northwest Harbor

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-8,405
3 years $-5,354
5 years $-2,303
7 years $747
9 years $3,798
11 years $6,849
13 years $9,899
15 years $12,950
17 years $16,001
19 years $19,051
21 years $22,102
23 years $25,153
25 years $28,204

Top Solar Installers in Northwest Harbor

Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra energy and knowledge. That's why most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Northwest Harbor, optimizing your ROI.

If you're looking for a solar installer in Northwest Harbor, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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 Northwest Harbor

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northwest Harbor

There are a number of factors that can play into your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Northwest Harbor, one of the most important 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 gauge by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type 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 over time on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Northwest Harbor average.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Northwest Harbor, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Northwest Harbor, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.

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 $18,592 11.5 years
8 kW $3.72 $20,849 $25,198 11.3 years
10 kW $3.65 $25,550 $32,009 11.1 years
12 kW $3.58 $30,047 $39,024 10.9 years
14 kW $3.50 $34,339 $46,243 10.7 years
16 kW $3.43 $38,427 $53,667 10.4 years
18 kW $3.36 $42,311 $61,295 10.2 years
20 kW $3.29 $45,990 $69,128 10.0 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, such as:

  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies have different panels.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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 Northwest Harbor, NY Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Northwest Harbor?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

How will solar panels impact my home value?

Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.

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.

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