Solar Panel Cost Guide in Watertown, NY (2024 Update)
- Watertown Solar Installation Cost: $11,775
- 25-Year Savings: $6,690
- Payback Period: 18.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Watertown
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Watertown.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Watertown it’s 4 per watt.Since a 4.6-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Watertown, the average price of going solar will be about $11,775 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Watertown based on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With typical savings of about $13,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Watertown find going solar can be quite rewarding.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Watertown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,866 |
| 3 years | $-9,049 |
| 5 years | $-7,232 |
| 7 years | $-5,415 |
| 9 years | $-3,598 |
| 11 years | $-1,780 |
| 13 years | $37 |
| 15 years | $1,854 |
| 17 years | $3,671 |
| 19 years | $5,488 |
| 21 years | $7,305 |
| 23 years | $9,122 |
| 25 years | $10,940 |
Top Solar Installers in Watertown
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Another advantage of working with a solar company is that they can help you optimize your investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. 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 Watertown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Watertown
Though the average cost of a solar system in Watertown is $11,775, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar 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 Watertown.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof 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. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Watertown, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Watertown homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you select will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Additionally, some companies in Watertown have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $5,157 | 18.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $7,285 | 18.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $9,617 | 18.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $12,154 | 17.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $14,895 | 17.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $17,841 | 17.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $20,990 | 16.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $24,345 | 16.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, 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:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s crucial to keep an open line of communication with your solar company. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure to look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Watertown, NY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Watertown?
The average cost of solar panels in Watertown is about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Watertown?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Watertown?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount 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.