Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Elmira, NY (2024 Update)

  • West Elmira Solar Installation Cost: $11,776
  • 25-Year Savings: $5,282
  • Payback Period: 19.9 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 West Elmira

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

In West Elmira, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in West Elmira, most homeowners require a 4.6-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,776, or $16,840 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of West Elmira homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in West Elmira see about $12,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in West Elmira that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in West Elmira

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-10,950
3 years $-9,298
5 years $-7,647
7 years $-5,995
9 years $-4,343
11 years $-2,691
13 years $-1,039
15 years $613
17 years $2,264
19 years $3,916
21 years $5,568
23 years $7,220
25 years $8,872

Top Solar Installers in West Elmira

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since installing solar panels by yourself can be hard. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in West Elmira, we've organized 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 West Elmira

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Elmira

There are many factors that can play into your total 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 cost of a solar panel system in West Elmira, one of the most crucial 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 gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in West Elmira, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to solar energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in West Elmira, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, 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 $3,323 20.7 years
8 kW $3.72 $20,849 $4,839 20.3 years
10 kW $3.65 $25,550 $6,560 19.9 years
12 kW $3.58 $30,047 $8,485 19.5 years
14 kW $3.50 $34,339 $10,615 19.1 years
16 kW $3.43 $38,427 $12,949 18.7 years
18 kW $3.36 $42,311 $15,487 18.3 years
20 kW $3.29 $45,990 $18,230 17.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you opt for will impact 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 keep in mind, such as:

  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
  • Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.

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 West Elmira, NY Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Elmira?

The average cost of solar panels in West Elmira 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 things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity bills?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $642.20 per year.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.

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