The cost of solar panels in Watertown, NY (2024)

Updated Dec 17, 2024

  • You'll pay an average of $14,098 to install a 5 kilowatt solar panel system in Watertown, NY, before incentives.

  • The federal investment tax credit (ITC) lowers that price by 30% of all your solar equipment and installation costs.

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Written by: Emily Walker

As of December 2024, the average solar panel system costs $2.82/W including installation in Watertown, NY. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $14,098 before incentives, though prices range from $11,983 to $16,213. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.

Average price of a 5 kW solar panel installation in Watertown, NY

Good Price
$11,983 or less
Market Average
$14,098
High Price
$16,213 or more

You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Watertown, NY state incentives, which will lower this price by at least a few thousand dollars.

Your solar panel cost depends on your system's size

It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.

While a 5 kW system will only cost you $14,098 in Watertown, NY, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system. The higher the price tag, though, the more you'll get back as a credit towards your federal tax bill.

Average solar cost by system size in Watertown, NY

System Size
System Cost
System Cost (after ITC)
3 kW$8,459$5,921
4 kW$11,279$7,895
5 kW$14,098$9,869
6 kW$16,918$11,842
7 kW$19,738$13,816
8 kW$22,557$15,790
9 kW$25,377$17,764
10 kW$28,196$19,737

Are solar panels worth it in Watertown, NY?

Solar panels are worth it in most areas, including Watertown, NY. Certain factors, including the cost of electricity, incentives, climate, and the angle at which the sun hits your roof impact how quickly you break even on your investment relative to other areas around the U.S. 

If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $37,754 over 25 years (the warranty term of most solar panels) on electricity costs with a 5 kW system in Watertown, NY. We generate this estimate based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace. It considers your system's cost, the federal tax credit, and inflation rates.

If you don't have access to net metering, these estimates don't account for utility net billing rates.

Payback Period
10.64 Years
25-Year Savings
$37,754
Cost-per-Watt
$2.82

If you can't shell out $14,098 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.

Find out what solar panels cost in your area in 2024
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The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:

If you're looking for solar companies in NY, here are some popular suggestions:

  • Infinity Energy (Infinity Solar Systems LLC)
    Schenectady, NY
    Established 2008
    Elite+ Installer
    Infinity offers the highest quality of products at the most aggressive prices. With in house roofing, siding, and...
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified
    4.5 /5.0
    42 Reviews

    Infinity offers the highest quality of products at the most aggressive prices. With in house roofing, siding, and...
  • New York State Solar Farm
    Glens Falls, NY
    Established 2007
    Elite Installer
    New York State Solar Farm brings you complete home solar and storage solutions with the most powerful and efficie...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified

    New York State Solar Farm brings you complete home solar and storage solutions with the most powerful and efficie...
  • Alternative Power Solutions of NY, LLC
    Syracuse, NY
    Established 2008
    Elite Installer
    APS is the longest standing solar installer in Central NY. With over 15 years of experience, you will be working ...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    19 Reviews

    APS is the longest standing solar installer in Central NY. With over 15 years of experience, you will be working ...
  • Solar Liberty
    Syracuse, NY
    Established 2003
    Elite Installer
    Solar Liberty is the most experienced turnkey solar installer in New York State while being recognized as a 'NYSE...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified

    Solar Liberty is the most experienced turnkey solar installer in New York State while being recognized as a 'NYSE...
  • Leviathan Solar Inc
    Ronkonkoma, NY
    Established 2019
    Elite Installer
    Leviathan Solar Inc strives to provide competitive pricing with top of the line products and warranties.
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    7 Reviews

    Leviathan Solar Inc strives to provide competitive pricing with top of the line products and warranties.

Solar is a major purchase, but you can get the price tag to come down a bit by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and rebates and shopping around for quotes can bring down your cost of solar in Watertown, NY.

Take advantage of federal and local solar incentives

As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit in Watertown, NY. This incentive allows you to apply 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs toward your federal tax bill. If the amount exceeds your tax bill, you can roll over the remaining credit to the following year. Many states also offer great local incentives and rebates.

Get quotes from multiple installers

Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.

This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.

Why shop with EnergySage?

Save time & money

Request free quotes from vetted installers in minutes

Unbiased support

Our expert Energy Advisors will help you make the right decision

Trusted, local installers

We pre-screen and monitor all of our partners

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