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Solar analysis: Watkins Glen, NY

With 4.31 daily peak hours, Watkins Glen is viable for solar. Modern high-efficiency panels extract maximum value from available sunlight. Your area receives an average of 4.31 peak sun hours per day.

Solar Authority Score™
63 Moderate

Nearby Areas

Rock Stream 14878 Montour Falls 14865 Beaver Dams 14812 Bradford 14815 Burdett 14818 Millport 14864
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Solar Coverage Map: Watkins Glen, NY

6 nearby locations
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Your Estimated Benefit

$878 /yr
High ROI Expected
Investment Grade: A+

Verified Solar Potential

Production
5,930 kWh per year (Est.)

Payback Period

9.5 Years

Time until system pays for itself

25-Year Lifetime Savings

$13,638

Estimated net profit after system costs

Fed. Tax Credit (30%)

$3,558
Money back in pocket

Available Incentives & Rebates

Residents of Watkins Glen may qualify for 5 active programs.

Federal Programs (Apply to Everyone)

Warning: 2026 Cliff
Inflation Reduction Act (Sec. 48E)
Benefit Value Pass-through Savings

If you lease your system (PPA), the solar company claims this credit and passes savings to you. Valid through 2032.

Warning: 2026 Cliff
Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (ITC)
Benefit Value 30% (Expiring 2025)

30% Tax Credit for systems installed by Dec 31, 2025. CRITICAL: For 2026, this credit is set to expire for homeowner-owned systems unless extended. Leases (Third-Party) still qualify under Sec. 48E.

NY State Incentives

VDER Stack
Net Metering / VDER

Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) stack value credits.

Upfront Rebate
NY-Sun (Megawatt Block)

Upfront rebate based on system size ($/Watt). Varies by region.

$5,000 Credit
Solar Energy System Equipment Credit

25% state tax credit, capped at $5,000.

Efficiency

Code: 14891
GOOD Score

4.31 Peak Sun Hours / day

Live Solar Forecast

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Production Efficiency --%

Fetching satellite data for Watkins Glen...

Peak Sun Hours Comparison

Good
Bar chart comparing Watkins Glen's 4.31 peak sun hours to the national average of 4.5 hours Watkins Glen National Avg State Avg 4.31 hrs 4.50 hrs 4.45 hrs 0h 2h 4h 6h

Watkins Glen's solar resource is 4% below the national average, but modern high-efficiency panels can still deliver strong returns.

Solar Physics Simulator

Sun path trajectory for Watkins Glen

24.5° Max Elevation
Sun path diagram showing summer vs winter trajectory in Watkins Glen East South West Summer (June) 24.5° Altitude Winter (Dec) -6.3° Altitude

In Watkins Glen, the sun is 30.8° lower in the sky during winter.
💡 Tip: Panels positioned at a 38.1° tilt will capture maximum energy year-round.

Why Solar in Watkins Glen?

Homeowners in Watkins Glen are positioned to benefit from 4.31 peak sun hours of daily sunlight. This translates to approximately $878 in annual electricity savings. State incentives are tapering. Lock in maximum savings now. NY-Sun incentive adds $0.20-0.40 per watt on top of federal credit

True Cost Calculator

Average System Cost $11,859
🇺🇸 Federal Tax Credit (30%)
- $3,558
🏛️ NY Rebate
- $1,000
Your Net Cost
$7,302
Financial Showdown

If you had $25k... Stock Market vs. Solar

Comparing a 20-year investment in the S&P 500 versus purchasing a solar system in Watkins Glen.

S&P 500 (Historical 7%) $60,981 Net Profit
Taxable
Solar Energy System $22,081 Tax-Free Gain
Winner 👑
Savings: $23,581 + Property Value: $16,000

Solar Outperforms by -64%

Unlike stock market gains which are taxed at ~15-20%, the money you save on electricity is 100% tax-free. Plus, solar increases your home's resale value immediately.

The Watkins Glen solar market has 5 primary installers. Quality and warranty terms matter more than price in smaller markets.