Solar Panel Cost Guide in Livingston, NY (2024 Update)
- Livingston Solar Installation Cost: $11,344
- 25-Year Savings: $9,074
- Payback Period: 15.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Livingston
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Livingston.
The average cost of a solar system in Livingston is 4 per watt.Because a 4.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Livingston, the average price of going solar will be about $11,344 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit depending on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Livingston homeowner can save about $16,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Livingston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,152 |
| 3 years | $-7,767 |
| 5 years | $-5,383 |
| 7 years | $-2,998 |
| 9 years | $-614 |
| 11 years | $1,771 |
| 13 years | $4,155 |
| 15 years | $6,540 |
| 17 years | $8,925 |
| 19 years | $11,309 |
| 21 years | $13,694 |
| 23 years | $16,078 |
| 25 years | $18,463 |
Top Solar Installers in Livingston
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to use a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Because solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some 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 Livingston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Livingston
The cost of installing a solar system in Livingston can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $3,650. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Livingston homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Livingston, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into your budget.
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 | $8,710 | 16.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $12,021 | 15.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $15,538 | 15.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $19,259 | 15.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $23,184 | 14.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $27,313 | 14.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $31,647 | 14.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $36,186 | 14.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panels, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- 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 large role in the company you go with.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: When reading 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.
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 Livingston, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Livingston?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Livingston?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Livingston. However, you may still be able to install 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.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Livingston?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production 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.