Solar Panel Cost Guide in Garden City South, NY (2024 Update)
- Garden City South Solar Installation Cost: $9,833
- 25-Year Savings: $14,424
- Payback Period: 11.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Garden City South
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Garden City South.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Garden City South it’s 4 per watt.Because a 3.8-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Garden City South, the average price of going solar will be about $9,833 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.Despite the high initial cost, the average Garden City South homeowner can save about $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Garden City South
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,307 |
| 3 years | $-5,257 |
| 5 years | $-2,206 |
| 7 years | $845 |
| 9 years | $3,896 |
| 11 years | $6,946 |
| 13 years | $9,997 |
| 15 years | $13,048 |
| 17 years | $16,098 |
| 19 years | $19,149 |
| 21 years | $22,200 |
| 23 years | $25,250 |
| 25 years | $28,301 |
Top Solar Installers in Garden City South
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Going with a solar company can make your swap to solar power much easier. Another perk of using a solar installer is that they can help you maximize your return of investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Garden City South:
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 Garden City South
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Garden City South
The cost of installing a solar system in Garden City South can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,650.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Garden City South, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Garden City South to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Garden City South, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger 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 | $18,935 | 11.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $25,656 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $32,580 | 11.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $39,710 | 10.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $47,043 | 10.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $54,581 | 10.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $62,324 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $70,271 | 9.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Garden City South, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, 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 Garden City South, NY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Garden City South?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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 be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Garden City South?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Garden City South. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Does Garden City South have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
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 higher level 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.