Cost of Solar Panels in New York (2026)

How much do solar panels cost in New York?

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.

How to compare solar quotes

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.

Solar prices in New York have decreased 42% over the last decade.

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

Are solar panels worth it in New York?

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.

Homeowners with solar panels typically save $20,000 to $90,000 over 25 years.

“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.

Regional solar considerations in New York

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

Solar panel installation cost factors in New York

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.

Size of your system

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.

Pro tip

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

Solar equipment

The equipment — panels, inverters, mounting hardware and other electrical accessories — is typically the largest portion of your overall solar costs (approximately 25% to 50%).

• Solar panels: Prices vary by efficiency rating. In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best value. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline.
• Solar batteries: Solar battery costs generally range from $7,000 to $18,000. Batteries store any excess energy your panels produce during the day, allowing you to keep your lights on at night. Without a battery, that unused clean energy goes to the power grid, and you’ll still depend on utility power after dark.
• Solar inverters: Inverters convert solar power from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverter costs typically range from $1,000 to $3,000.
• Monitoring system: Some companies include a solar monitoring system to track energy production and identify potential issues. If not, you can buy a standalone system for $80 to $400.

Condition of your roof

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.

Local permits

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 costs

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.

Pro tip

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?

Ongoing costs

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.

How can I pay for solar panels in New York?

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.

• Solar financing: A solar loan works like any other type of home improvement loan. There’s an application and approval process. You pay it back over time (with interest) each month.
• Solar leases: Leasing solar panels lets you set up a system without the high upfront costs. A solar company installs and maintains solar panels on your property, and you pay a monthly fee to use them. The leasing company handles maintenance.
• Power purchase agreements: A solar power purchase agreement (PPA) is similar to leasing. You buy the power generated by the system on a per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) basis. It’s a fixed price, and the cents/kWh is usually cheaper than the utility’s rate for the same amount of electricity.

In the best-case scenario, your monthly solar loan or lease payment is less than your current utility bill.

Solar incentives, tax credits and rebates in New York

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.

Compare solar installation companies in New York

We compared ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranties, availability and other factors to pick the top solar companies in New York.

Bottom line

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