Guide to solar panels in Buffalo, NY (2021)
Updated August 19, 2020
Buffalo is a great place to go solar. You’re probably using National Grid as your utility. The combination of National Grid's high electric rates and their net metering program makes solar a great investment in Buffalo.
The most significant incentive to install solar panels in Buffalo is the 26% federal tax credit. However, the tax credit is set to step down to 22% at the end of 2020. This means in order to maximize your savings potential, the best time to go solar in Buffalo is now.
Another key incentive for going solar in Buffalo is the New York state tax credit, which gives you extra savings on the cost of a solar installation. By entering your address into our solar panel calculator, you can see what other local incentives are available in your area.
On this page:
Current cost of solar panels in Buffalo
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Prices based on a 5.8kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$17,487-$21,372
Payback period
7.3-8.9 years
Recommended size for the selected utility bill
5.8kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Quick links to the best known solar energy companies
Solar companies in Buffalo, NY that will provide a cost estimate for your home through SolarReviews.
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Buffalo solar panel cost & savings calculator
Current solar incentives and tax credits available in Buffalo, NY
New York solar tax credit
If you live in Buffalo, you can take advantage of the New York state tax credit which is equal to 25% of the costs of you solar panel installation. The tax credit is capped at $5,000. This combined with the federal tax credit provide subsantial savings on the cost of a solar installation.
NY-Sun MW block incentive
Buffalo residents can take advantage of the Upstate megawatt block incentive. Each investor owned utility in New York is assigned a certain capacity that is divided into 'blocks'. Each block has a cap for the amount of watts that can be installed. The incentive amount decreases as you move from block to block.
Currently, the Upstate incentive is in Block 8 of the program. This means homeowners who decided to go solar will recieve $0.35 per watt installed. So, if you install a 6 kilowatt (kW) solar system, you'll recieve $2,100.
But, if you wait too long, the incentive amount could drop! The sooner you go solar, the more savings you'll get!
New York state tax credit
The second most important incentive for solar panel installations in New York is the state solar tax credit, which allows you to potentially earn an extra $5,000 to put towards your taxes, on top of the federal solar tax credit. These two incentives can be combined to reduce the cost of going solar by more than half after the first year, and electric bill savings will pay back the rest of the cost in under 8 years, leaving home solar system owners with nearly two decades of free electricity.
The 26% federal solar tax credit explained
The federal solar tax credit is equal to 26% of the total cost of installing solar panels on your home. The amount of the tax credit is then deducted from your federal taxes. You can claim the credit over several years if the amount you owe in taxes is less than the amount of your tax credit. You can only take advantage of the federal tax credit if you pay federal income taxes.
Keep in mind that the federal solar tax credit is set to step down at the end of 2022, falling from 26% of costs to just 22%. So, the best time to go solar is now, so you can maximize your solar savings.
How much will solar panels on my home save me?
The answer to this question depends on your electricity usage. Generally speaking, the higher your power usage, the greater your potential savings are from installing solar.
The average monthly electricity usage in New York is about 595 kWh per month. However, you are most likely using a lot more than this since this average includes small apartments and condos.
The Buffalo solar panel savings calculator uses our database of electric rates from local utilities to convert your monthly power bill into how much electricity your home uses. From there, the calculator can work out how many solar panels you need to offset your power usage, how much a solar system will cost based on prices of local solar companies, and the amount of money you will save on your electric bill.
Cost and savings for a 9.88 kW average-sized solar system in Buffalo
Cost per watt range
$2.52 - $3.08
Average payback
8.6 - 10.5 years
Annual power production
15,524 kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
6¢ /kWh
If you don't get solar
23¢ /kWh
(forecast avg New York electric rates over the next 25 years)
Average solar savings on this system over the next 25 years
$47,298
(Savings shown after repayments of capital)
Related topics:
Are solar panels worth it in Buffalo
Solar panels have fallen in price by more than 80% in the last ten years. In 2021 they also remain subsidized by the 26% federal tax credit and the net metering law making them an excellent investment. They offer a return well above the long term average return from both the share market and also property investment.
Another way to look at this question is the levelized amount you will pay for each kWh of power you will use over the next 25 years with and without solar panels. As you can see below the savings are significant.
Going solar in NY
Check out all of the ways energy providers of can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
Table 2: Available incentive programs
| Incentive name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Solar Sales Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Value of Distributed Energy Resources - Phase One Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| NY-Sun Smart Energy Loan | State | Loan Program |
| Residential Solar State Tax Credit | State | Personal Tax Credit |
| NYSERDA Retail Energy Storage Incentive Program | State | Battery Rebate |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| NY-Sun Affordable Solar Program | State | Low-Income Program |
| Property Tax Exemption | State | Property Tax Incentive |
Table 2: Available incentive programs
|
Eligibility: Federal incentive
Type: Personal Tax Credit
|
|
Eligibility: State incentive
Type: Sales Tax Incentive
|
Note: Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
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