Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gates, NY (2024 Update)
- Gates Solar Installation Cost: $10,653
- 25-Year Savings: $8,407
- Payback Period: 15.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gates
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Gates.
In Gates, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Gates is around 4.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $10,653 for a solar installation, or $15,234 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what company you go with.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Gates can save about $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a vetted solar installer in Gates, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Gates
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,746 |
| 3 years | $-7,932 |
| 5 years | $-6,119 |
| 7 years | $-4,305 |
| 9 years | $-2,491 |
| 11 years | $-678 |
| 13 years | $1,136 |
| 15 years | $2,949 |
| 17 years | $4,763 |
| 19 years | $6,577 |
| 21 years | $8,390 |
| 23 years | $10,204 |
| 25 years | $12,018 |
Top Solar Installers in Gates
When going solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar company since installing a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Local solar companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers 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
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 Gates
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gates
For many Gates homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Gates, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, 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 nearly $3,650. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Gates to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Gates is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of access to greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower 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 | $8,544 | 16.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $11,801 | 16.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $15,263 | 15.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $18,928 | 15.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $22,798 | 15.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $26,873 | 14.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $31,152 | 14.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $35,635 | 14.1 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a considerable role in the company you opt for.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
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 Gates, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Gates?
The average cost of solar panels in Gates 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Gates?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Gates. 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 want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
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% after installing solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.