Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brooklyn, NY (2024 Update)
- Brooklyn Solar Installation Cost: $9,807
- 25-Year Savings: $25,414
- Payback Period: 7.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brooklyn
We go over average solar pricing in Brooklyn.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Brooklyn generally cost about 4.The average Brooklyn homeowner needs a 3.8-kilowatt system, which would cost about $9,807 with the federal tax credit, or $14,024 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Brooklyn depending on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $33,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Brooklyn
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,927 |
| 3 years | $-4,168 |
| 5 years | $-408 |
| 7 years | $3,351 |
| 9 years | $7,110 |
| 11 years | $10,870 |
| 13 years | $14,629 |
| 15 years | $18,389 |
| 17 years | $22,148 |
| 19 years | $25,907 |
| 21 years | $29,667 |
| 23 years | $33,426 |
| 25 years | $37,185 |
Top Solar Installers in Brooklyn
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar company since handling can be a challenging project. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.
Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Brooklyn
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brooklyn
The cost of installing a solar system in Brooklyn can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The model of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond 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 falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Brooklyn to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest.It’s a good idea to factor 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 off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to solar energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating throughout Brooklyn, and each can charge varying 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 pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $36,174 | 7.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $48,640 | 7.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $61,312 | 7.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $74,187 | 7.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $87,267 | 7.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $100,551 | 6.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $114,040 | 6.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $127,733 | 6.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in Brooklyn, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you go with.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Brooklyn, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Brooklyn?
The average cost of solar panels in Brooklyn 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 like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Brooklyn?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Brooklyn. 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’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Does Brooklyn have a net metering program?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.