Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cheektowaga, NY (2024 Update)
- Cheektowaga Solar Installation Cost: $11,696
- 25-Year Savings: $6,243
- Payback Period: 18.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cheektowaga
See how much it might cost to go solar in Cheektowaga.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Cheektowaga, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.The average Cheektowaga homeowner needs a 4.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,696 with the federal tax credit, or $16,725 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cheektowaga
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,833 |
| 3 years | $-9,108 |
| 5 years | $-7,383 |
| 7 years | $-5,657 |
| 9 years | $-3,932 |
| 11 years | $-2,207 |
| 13 years | $-481 |
| 15 years | $1,244 |
| 17 years | $2,969 |
| 19 years | $4,695 |
| 21 years | $6,420 |
| 23 years | $8,145 |
| 25 years | $9,870 |
Top Solar Installers in Cheektowaga
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. A solar installer can also help save you money in the long run by providing warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 Cheektowaga
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cheektowaga
The cost of installing a solar system in Cheektowaga 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 household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,650 per kilowatt in Cheektowaga.The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, 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 searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cheektowaga to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Cheektowaga homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar system can impact how much you pay. Cheektowaga’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $4,629 | 19.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $6,581 | 19.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $8,737 | 18.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $11,097 | 18.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $13,662 | 17.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $16,431 | 17.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $19,405 | 17.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $22,583 | 16.8 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 find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
- 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 likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Cheektowaga, NY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cheektowaga?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $685.73 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Cheektowaga?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.