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

  • Vestal Solar Installation Cost: $11,857
  • 25-Year Savings: $4,701
  • Payback Period: 20.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 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 Vestal

Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Vestal.

The average cost of a solar panel system in Vestal is 4 per watt.The average Vestal homeowner needs a 4.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,857 with the federal tax credit, or $16,956 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Vestal based on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With average savings of about $12,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Vestal find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.

To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in Vestal, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Vestal

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-11,031
3 years$-9,380
5 years$-7,728
7 years$-6,076
9 years$-4,424
11 years$-2,772
13 years$-1,120
15 years$531
17 years$2,183
19 years$3,835
21 years$5,487
23 years$7,139
25 years$8,791

Top Solar Installers in Vestal

Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it involves extra energy and know-how. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Solar warranties and repairs are typically included in the cost of installation when you opt for a solar company too, which can save you more money over time.

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

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

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

See all of the solar companies in Vestal

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Vestal

The cost of installing a solar system in Vestal can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,650. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Vestal, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Vestal to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Vestal is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.80$15,943$2,52521.6 years
8 kW$3.72$20,849$3,77521.2 years
10 kW$3.65$25,550$5,23020.8 years
12 kW$3.58$30,047$6,88920.3 years
14 kW$3.50$34,339$8,75219.9 years
16 kW$3.43$38,427$10,82019.5 years
18 kW$3.36$42,311$13,09319.1 years
20 kW$3.29$45,990$15,56918.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

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

  • 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 solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power 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 acquire and what the project timeline is.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • 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.

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

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

EcoWatch's Vestal, NY Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Vestal is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type 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 Vestal?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it usually 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.

Do solar panels increase your home value?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably 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% with a solar installation."

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home 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.