By NEW YORK — As home solar installations surge in New York State, Solar to the People has released a study detailing the cost of solar in metro areas across the state.
The actual cost of installing solar is a point of confusion for many homeowners, and this study aims to provide transparency for New York state homeowners who are considering making the switch.
Lowest cost of residential solar per kW (kilowatt) by metro area, first six months of 2015
1) Buffalo Area – $1,365 / kW
2) Ithaca Area – $1,479 / kW
3) Utica Area – $1,486 / kW
4) Rochester Area – $1,517 / kW
5) Syracuse Area – $1,633 / kW
6) Elmira Area – $1,647 / kW
7) Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties – $1,826 / kW
8) Orange and Rockland Counties – $1,842 / kW
9) Albany Area – $1,860 / kW
10) North Country – $1,982 / kW
11) Long Island – $2,335 / kW
12) Kingston Area – $2,383 / kW
13) New York City – $2,493 / kW
Key study findings:
The average cost of purchasing home solar in New York in the first half of 2015 was $15,137, after rebates and incentives.
Rebates and incentives reduced the cost of solar on average 50.5%.
This average cost equates to $2,084 / kW (kilowatt) installed, after rebates and incentives.
The Buffalo area paid the lowest amount per KW installed, at $1,365 / kW.
New York City paid the highest amount per KW installed, at $2,493 / kW.
The study includes both before and after incentive costs paid by New York homeowners in the first half of 2015. The study includes costs on average solar installations in a region, as well as average costs per kW (kilowatt) installed. Data was obtained from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), which runs the NY-Sun solar incentive program.
About Solar to the People – Solar to the People is a solar information website that provides clear, independent information on home solar for homeowners, solar installers and policymakers.
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