Solar Panel Cost Guide in New Paltz, NY (2024 Update)
- New Paltz Solar Installation Cost: $11,137
- 25-Year Savings: $12,999
- Payback Period: 12.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in New Paltz
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in New Paltz.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in New Paltz, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in New Paltz is around 4.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,137 for a solar installation, or $15,926 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs will differ based on your energy needs and what company you go with.Despite the high initial cost, the average New Paltz homeowner can save about $19,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in New Paltz for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in New Paltz
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,874 |
| 3 years | $-7,348 |
| 5 years | $-4,821 |
| 7 years | $-2,295 |
| 9 years | $231 |
| 11 years | $2,758 |
| 13 years | $5,284 |
| 15 years | $7,810 |
| 17 years | $10,337 |
| 19 years | $12,863 |
| 21 years | $15,390 |
| 23 years | $17,916 |
| 25 years | $20,442 |
Top Solar Installers in New Paltz
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra effort and handiness. That's why almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also have access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be best for your home.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 New Paltz
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in New Paltz
The cost of installing a solar system in New Paltz can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest 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
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the New Paltz average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many New Paltz homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.It’s wise to include 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 back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in New Paltz, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $14,339 | 13.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $19,527 | 12.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $24,920 | 12.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $30,517 | 12.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $36,319 | 12.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $42,325 | 11.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $48,535 | 11.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $54,950 | 11.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
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 New Paltz, NY Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in New Paltz?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, 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. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout New Paltz, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.