Solar Panel Cost Guide in Queens, NY (2024 Update)
- Queens Solar Installation Cost: $9,797
- 25-Year Savings: $24,140
- Payback Period: 7.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Queens
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Queens.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Queens it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Queens, most homeowners require a 3.8-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $9,797, or $14,010 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Queens homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $32,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Queens find going solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in Queens for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Queens
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-7,917 |
| 3 years | $-4,158 |
| 5 years | $-399 |
| 7 years | $3,361 |
| 9 years | $7,120 |
| 11 years | $10,880 |
| 13 years | $14,639 |
| 15 years | $18,398 |
| 17 years | $22,158 |
| 19 years | $25,917 |
| 21 years | $29,676 |
| 23 years | $33,436 |
| 25 years | $37,195 |
Top Solar Installers in Queens
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Using a solar panel installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Local solar installation companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by providing warranties and repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some 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 Queens
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Queens
There are many criteria that can affect your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Queens, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,650 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Queens, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, 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
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Queens 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
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can affect the cost. Queens’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount 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 | $34,219 | 7.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $46,034 | 7.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $58,054 | 7.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $70,278 | 7.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $82,706 | 7.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $95,339 | 7.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $108,176 | 7.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $121,218 | 6.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the durability of your solar panels, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
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 Queens, NY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Queens?
The average cost of solar panels in Queens 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 certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in Queens?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Queens. 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 prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Does Queens have a net metering program?
Each state has some form 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 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.