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New York Solar Panel Calculator

Local rates, sun hours & savings — specific to New York

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3.79

Peak Sun Hrs/Day

$0.210

Avg Rate ($/kWh)

$133

Avg Monthly Bill

12.5 yrs

Est. Payback

New York's solar economics are driven by high electricity rates ($0.21/kWh average, much higher in NYC) rather than sunshine — the state gets just 3.79 peak sun hours per day. The NY-Sun Megawatt Block incentive and strong net metering from Con Edison and NYSEG help close the gap, and many homeowners see payback periods of 9–12 years. This calculator is especially useful for New York because local rates and incentives matter so much here.

3.79 hrs

Sun Hours/Day

$0.210

Rate ($/kWh)

$2.90

Avg Cost/Watt

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Solar Data for New York

Peak Sun Hours
3.79 hrs/day (NREL annual avg)
Avg Electricity Rate
$0.2098/kWh (EIA 2024)
Avg Monthly Bill
$133/month
Avg Install Cost
$2.90/W (LBNL Tracking the Sun)
Est. Payback (avg bill)
12.5 years (before 30% ITC)
Federal ITC
30% through 2032

Solar Panels in New York — Frequently Asked Questions

How does shading affect solar panel performance?▾
Even partial shading can significantly reduce output. Traditional string inverters cause the whole string to underperform if one panel is shaded. Microinverters and DC optimizers mitigate this by allowing each panel to operate independently. If your roof has trees or chimneys that cause partial shading, request microinverters in your quotes.
Does my roof need to be replaced before installing solar?▾
Solar installers recommend that your roof have at least 10–15 years of remaining life before installation. If your roof is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it first — removing and reinstalling solar panels costs $1,500–$3,000. A new roof paired with solar can sometimes be financed together. Most installers will assess your roof during the quoting process.
How many solar panels does the average home need?▾
Most US homes need between 15 and 30 panels (6–12 kW system). The exact number depends on your electricity usage, your state's sun hours, roof orientation, and the wattage of the panels you choose. Enter your bill or usage above to get a personalized estimate.
How much CO₂ does a solar system offset?▾
The EPA estimates that the average US grid emits 0.855 lbs of CO₂ per kWh. A 10 kW solar system producing 14,000 kWh/year offsets about 11,970 lbs (5.4 metric tons) of CO₂ annually — equivalent to planting 88 trees or driving 12,000 fewer miles. Over 25 years, that's 300+ metric tons.
What are my options for financing solar panels?▾
The main options are: (1) Cash purchase — best ROI, you get the full ITC. (2) Solar loan — low-rate loans from installers, Sungage, GreenSky, or your credit union allow ownership with no upfront cost. You still get the ITC. (3) HELOC — if you have home equity. (4) Solar lease/PPA — no ownership, no ITC, lower savings but zero upfront. (5) PACE financing — property-assessed loans available in some states.

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Solar Savings on a $100/Month Bill

How much solar saves on a $100 monthly electricity bill in New York

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Solar Savings on a $150/Month Bill

How much solar saves on a $150 monthly electricity bill in New York

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Solar for 1,500 Sq Ft Homes

How many panels does a 1,500 sq ft home need?

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Solar for 1,800 Sq Ft Homes

How many panels does a 1,800 sq ft home need?

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12 kW Solar System

Full cost and savings breakdown for a 12 kW installation

Disclaimer: Data sources: NREL PVWatts (sun hours), EIA 2024 Residential Rate Survey (electricity rates), Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Tracking the Sun (install costs). Estimates are for planning only. Actual savings depend on your specific roof, shading, utility policies, and available incentives. Not financial or tax advice.