Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rochester, WA (2024 Update)
- Rochester Solar Installation Cost: $11,424
- 25-Year Savings: $10,271
- Payback Period: 15.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rochester
We break down average solar pricing in Rochester.
In Rochester, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 4.5-kW system would cost about $11,424 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Rochester based on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $16,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Rochester for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Rochester
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,148 |
| 3 years | $-7,596 |
| 5 years | $-5,045 |
| 7 years | $-2,493 |
| 9 years | $59 |
| 11 years | $2,611 |
| 13 years | $5,163 |
| 15 years | $7,714 |
| 17 years | $10,266 |
| 19 years | $12,818 |
| 21 years | $15,370 |
| 23 years | $17,922 |
| 25 years | $20,474 |
Top Solar Installers in Rochester
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be challenging. The expertise that solar installers offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Rochester, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Rochester
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rochester
For many Rochester homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Rochester, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Rochester, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,590 for each additional kilowatt you need.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Rochester average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Rochester offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence how much you pay. Rochester’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 compete with 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 vehicle 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 | $3.73 | $15,681 | $9,054 | 15.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $12,474 | 15.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $16,095 | 15.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $19,917 | 14.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $23,940 | 14.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $28,164 | 14.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $32,589 | 14.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $37,216 | 13.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will affect not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar panel system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies 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 hire.
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Rochester, WA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Rochester?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other 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 want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Rochester?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Rochester?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.