Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Seneca, NY (2024 Update)
- West Seneca Solar Installation Cost: $11,696
- 25-Year Savings: $6,352
- Payback Period: 18.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Seneca
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in West Seneca.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in West Seneca it’s 4 per watt.Since a 4.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in West Seneca, the average price of going solar will be about $11,696 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of West Seneca homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $13,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in West Seneca that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in West Seneca
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,820 |
| 3 years | $-9,069 |
| 5 years | $-7,318 |
| 7 years | $-5,567 |
| 9 years | $-3,816 |
| 11 years | $-2,065 |
| 13 years | $-314 |
| 15 years | $1,437 |
| 17 years | $3,188 |
| 19 years | $4,939 |
| 21 years | $6,690 |
| 23 years | $8,441 |
| 25 years | $10,192 |
Top Solar Installers in West Seneca
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since figuring out how to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
See all of the solar companies in West Seneca
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Seneca
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in West Seneca: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel 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 around $3,650. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in West Seneca, which can reduce, or in some cases completely 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 important to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar system can influence how much you pay. West Seneca’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that 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 with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $4,773 | 19.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $6,772 | 18.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $8,976 | 18.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $11,385 | 18.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $13,997 | 17.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $16,815 | 17.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $19,836 | 17.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $23,062 | 16.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you go with.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's West Seneca, NY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in West Seneca?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in West Seneca?
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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home 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."
How many solar panels should I get to power 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 house 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.