Solar power is blooming in the Flower City

The state of solar in Rochester

On average, Rochester only enjoys 165 sunny days per year.^*Best Places. Climate in Rochester, New York. April 2021. That’s lower than the national average of 205 days, but 72% of the city’s rooftops are still solar viable.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018). The city is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% of 2010 levels by 2030 and increasing its use of clean energy sources; and it’s succeeding. Rochester’s installed solar capacity has increased over 217% in the last five years!^*Based on a starting capacity of 5.36 MW in 2015 and the 2021 capacity of 17.03 MW.

How much solar energy does Rochester produce?

Rochester currently has 17.03 MW of installed solar capacity from 621 solar PV systems and counting. The city generates nearly a third of Monroe County’s 62.99 MW solar capacity.

The City of Rochester has installed solar PV systems on numerous municipal properties over the last decade, including a 2 MW solar array at Emerson Street Landfill in 2017. The area’s first community solar project, the 5.6 MW Rochester Airport Road Solar Array, was completed in 2019. It features 14,000 solar panels and powers over 400 homes.^*Solar Power World. Nexamp completes 5.6-MW community solar project in Rochester. November 2019.

What are the advantages of going solar in Rochester?

While electricity rates in Rochester are generally relatively affordable compared to the rest of New York at 10.63 cents per kWh or just over 39% below the state average,^*Electricity Local. Rochester Electricity Rates. April 2021.solar power has the potential to offer even lower cost electricity.

A 10 kW solar PV system will offer a levelized cost of around 4 cents per kWh over 25 years, resulting in close to $20,000 in electricity cost savings. That same system would pay for itself within a decade.^*Solar Reviews. Guide to solar panels in Rochester, NY. August 2020.

However, financial advantages aren't the only benefit of going solar in Rochester. You'll also reduce your carbon footprint, in turn helping to reduce air pollution in our community. If the estimated 45,200 solar viable rooftops in Rochester were utilized, 285,000 cubic tons of carbon dioxide would be avoided, the equivalent of taking 60,200 cars off the road for a year!^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018).

How much does solar cost in Rochester?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Amount of roof space

• Roof angle, shading, and orientation

• Quality of solar panels and hardware

• Labor costs

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 In Rochester, we found that the cost of installing a 5kW solar system ranges from $14,250 to $30,000, or in other words, from $2.85 to $6.00 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

New York currently offers a 25% non-refundable state income tax credit to help offset the cost of solar panel installation, capped at $5,000.^*Tax credits subject to change. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information. You may also be able to take advantage of the 30% federal solar tax credit and the Megawatt Block Incentive.

The MW Block program provides an up-front dollars-per-watt rebate that varies by location and the current “block” status. Upstate New York is in block 8 as of April 2021, with a 35 cent per watt rebate. Block 9 will offer a 20 cent per watt rebate.

What’s the best way to go solar in Rochester?

The best solar set-up will vary based on a wide range of factors, such as available roof space, sun exposure, budget concerns, power needs and more. A reputable solar power installer can help you take these factors into consideration and determine the right system size and design for your needs.

Before signing a solar system installation contract, be sure to have a consultation to get a system tailored for your needs. That way, you can get answers to all your questions and a custom system design for your roof, along with a price quote and breakdown of your potential energy cost savings and any tax credits and incentives available to you.

Get started today by requesting a consultation below. Next, we'll follow up to schedule a convenient time to review your solar options in-person or virtually. You can also call us directly at 1-385-489-5552.