Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Valley Stream, NY (2023 Update)
- South Valley Stream Solar Installation Cost: $7,950
- 25-Year Savings: $19,905
- Payback Period: 7.1 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Valley Stream
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in South Valley Stream.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in South Valley Stream it's 2.95 per watt. Since a 3.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in South Valley Stream, the average price of going solar will be about $7,950 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. Despite the significant initial cost, the average South Valley Stream homeowner can save around $28,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in South Valley Stream
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-6,836 |
| 3 years | $-4,608 |
| 5 years | $-2,379 |
| 7 years | $-151 |
| 9 years | $2,078 |
| 11 years | $4,306 |
| 13 years | $6,534 |
| 15 years | $8,763 |
| 17 years | $10,991 |
| 19 years | $13,220 |
| 21 years | $15,448 |
| 23 years | $17,677 |
| 25 years | $19,905 |
Top Solar Installers in South Valley Stream
When going solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 South Valley Stream
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Valley Stream
There are a number of criteria 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 installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in South Valley Stream, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,950 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater 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
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back 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 increases your overall costs, so it's important to consider that as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar system can impact the cost. South Valley Stream's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $30,543 | 7.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.01 | $16,850 | $41,055 | 7.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.95 | $20,650 | $51,732 | 7.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.89 | $24,284 | $62,573 | 7.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.83 | $27,754 | $73,581 | 6.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.77 | $31,058 | $84,753 | 6.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.71 | $34,196 | $96,090 | 6.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.66 | $37,170 | $107,593 | 6.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in South Valley Stream, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not certain about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you opt for.
- 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 installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- 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.
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 South Valley Stream, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in South Valley Stream?
The average cost of solar panels in South Valley Stream 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 certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in South Valley Stream?
You can't get solar panels for free in South Valley Stream. However, you may still be able to get 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.
How will solar panels impact the value of my home?
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 South Valley Stream is currently $477,600, which means you could be looking at a value of about $19,582 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in South Valley Stream is a fruitful investment.
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 are completely unusable 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 once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.