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Simplify your search
Switch to solar with a system built for you.
Average solar panel installation costs generally start between $13,956 and $27,911 in New York. How much you actually pay depends on several factors, which we explain below.
The investment tends to pay off over time. New York homeowners with solar panels avoid $58,988 in utility costs over 25 years on average.
But it doesn’t work out for everyone. How much money you actually pay to go solar — and how much you can save — depends on several factors.
NOTE: Systems installed after Dec. 31, 2025, are not eligible for the 30% federal solar investment tax credit.
System size, whether or not you want to add an energy storage battery and the condition of your roof have a big impact on the overall costs.
Going solar is like buying a car. You could pay cash, but most people finance or lease with minimal upfront costs.
Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 8.55 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).
Before considering any incentives, a 7-kilowatt (kW) solar panel system costs $19,538 in New York. The size of your solar panel system is a big factor in your overall solar costs.
Prices in Buffalo are comparable, ranging from $13,209 to $26,418. It costs between $13,229 and $26,458 to go solar in Rochester. On the higher end, Sasha in The Bronx told us that they invested $50,000 in their solar system.
Average solar panel installation costs by system size in New York
NOTE: The estimated costs above do not include the price of a solar storage battery. Adding a battery can double your total costs.
Get quotes from three or four solar companies in New York. Make sure the estimated price includes all the equipment you want, labor, permits and grid hookup.
Most installers set the price according to the system’s wattage. Similar to “cost per square foot” when buying a house, “cost per watt” allows you to compare the relative value of a solar panel system. It shows you the per-dollar price of your system’s energy production potential.
According to our latest research, the average cost per watt is $2.79 in New York.
Solar panel costs in New York
» TIPS: Get the best solar quotes
Solar panels are worth it in New York in some situations. It all comes down to how much you pay for the installation versus how much you can save over time.
One solar customer, John in New York City, said his monthly electric bill used to be anywhere from $100 to $300. After going solar, he only has to pay $32.
“The solar panels produce enough power for our house,” Barry in Pawling told us. “I’m getting about 44% of my electrical needs and I’m saving about a little $1,000 a year. I expect them to be more like $1,500 a year,” he said.
We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house.
Whether going solar is worth it also depends on where you live in New York. Compared with the rest of the state, going solar is a little different in New York City. Most New Yorkers live in apartment buildings with limited roof space, so large-scale solar installations may be shared among many residents.
For instance, Paul in Queens said: “On our block here on 69th Avenue, we have a couple of brownstones that we own and on two of the two-family brownstones, we put in solar panels and we were able to divide up the panels. Eleven for the first floor and 11 for the second floor. And that gives my tenants 100% of their heating in the winter and 100% of their air conditioning in the summer. So, they pay the flat $18.62 a month, winter and summer.”
» STILL NOT SURE? Solar energy pros and cons
How much you pay to go solar largely depends on the size of your system, the equipment you want and the condition of your roof. Local permits and fees are a small part of your overall costs.
A typical New York household needs about a 6.9 kW system, which costs $19,251 on average. Depending on your energy needs, you might need a smaller or larger system.
How to estimate what system size you need: First, look at your electric bill. It should say how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you used last year. Then, divide that number by 1,200 to estimate your system size in kilowatts (kW).
For example, if you used 12,000 kWh of electricity last year, you would need a 10-kW system. If you used 10,800 kWh, you would need a 9-kW system.
Upgrade old appliances with more eco-friendly ones before you go solar. If you use less electricity, you need fewer solar panels, which makes the entire system more cost-effective.
» WATT’S THE DIFFERENCE? kW vs. kWh
The equipment — panels, inverters, mounting hardware and other electrical accessories — is typically the largest portion of your overall solar costs (approximately 25% to 50%).
High-quality solar panels last 25 to 30 years, and your roof needs to last just as long.
ConsumerAffairs often hears from customers who were blindsided by expensive roof repairs discovered after their solar panels were already installed. This is a frustrating and expensive process — avoid it if you can.
To ensure a seamless and cost-effective solar journey, your roof must match the system’s longevity. Get your roof inspected, fixed or replaced before you go solar.
New York has set up a standardized permitting process for solar projects, so the rules and requirements are the same no matter which town or city you live in.
However, some places offer discounts on solar-related permits. For instance, if you live in the Town of Riverhead on Long Island and want to put up solar panels or a solar water heater, there’s a pretty sweet deal for you. The permit fee is usually $150, but if your solar system qualifies, you get it for just $50 plus a “fast-track” approval to get it done quickly.
Labor, which includes planning, preparing and connecting your solar system to the grid, accounts for 10% to 30% of total costs. Solar equipment costs are going down, but labor costs are still relatively high in some parts of the state.
You might be tempted to install the system yourself. DIY solar panels are cheaper, but there are potential issues: Incorrectly installed solar panels can cause roof leaks, electrical safety risks and other dangerous problems.
If you have an electric car, ask about EV charger options. Homeowners in more rural parts of New York should also consider critter guards to protect the panels.
» RELATED: How many solar panels do you need for your house?
Solar panels require minimal maintenance, but periodic cleaning can add to the lifetime cost of your solar panel system.
If you clean the solar panels yourself, the only maintenance cost will be the water used to hose them down. Hiring a professional to clean your solar panels typically costs between $100 and $350.
Financing options and leasing programs make going solar much more affordable for the average New Yorker. In an ideal scenario, your solar power system generates enough extra power to cancel out your monthly payment.
In the best-case scenario, your monthly solar loan or lease payment is less than your current utility bill.
The federal solar tax credit is gone, but residents can still take advantage of several New York solar incentives that help make it more affordable to embrace renewable energy.
For instance, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has a program for low-income residents and small businesses. 
There’s also statewide net metering, which may compensate you for any renewable energy sent to the local power grid.
We compared ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranties, availability and other factors to pick the top solar companies in New York.
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We’re not aware of a totally free solar option in New York. Though neither is totally free, you can lease or enter a PPA with little to no upfront costs. Solar leases usually come with a flat monthly fee, and PPAs make you pay per unit of electricity. In general, beware of deals that sound too good to be true. Solar scams promising free solar panels often, unfortunately, end up costing people quite a bit of money.
» FREE SOLAR PANELS: Are they really free?
Installing solar panels can significantly increase a home’s value, according to a Zillow study. Homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more on average. Exact value increases vary by location.
The difference comes down to efficiency and materials: monocrystalline panels are made from pure, single silicon crystals, whereas polycrystalline panels are made from various silicon fragments melted together. Both are types of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
Solar panels only generate electricity when the sun is shining. A solar battery stores the extra energy your panels produce during the day so you can use it at night or during a power outage.
Without a battery, that unused energy goes to the grid, and you’ll still depend on utility power after dark.
If you’ve been thinking about going solar, you’re not alone. More than 200,000 solar installations already exist in New York — enough to power almost a million homes and account for about 5% of the state’s electricity. The main drawback is the high cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Many residents we’ve talked to say the long-term savings outweigh the upfront expense.
The ConsumerAffairs Research Team conducted an in-depth analysis to determine how much costs to go solar in New York and the average costs in other states.
Solar costs vs. savings: New York and nearby states
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