It was an 'eye opener' when I saw the choices and prices you have in New York, New Hampshire, and Rode Island. Solar panel installation is not that complicated. Almost all the wiring is' plug & play'. The tools you'll need are probably in your garage. You can hire an electrician by the hour to check your work. But here's the hard part: (1) Check prices and shipping for panels, micro inverters, and hardware through vendors on Craig's List (electronics or household) in Los Angeles or San Francisco. (2) Check out solar panel installation on "U-Tube". There are various applications, check them all out. (3) The issues of Chinese Made, Canadian Made,or USA Made are not important, they are all made by robotics w/o human hands.(4)I know you have to pay more for shipping but don't pay more than $.90/watt for solar panels, or more than $140 per micro-inverter, or $35 per 12 foot rail.
Here in LA, I paid about $1250/Kw for materials. I had the help of two friends. Two Saturday mornings (do it early while the Sun is low) for installation. The electrician cost me about $150. Local rules/laws are not the same everywhere, but I believe you should know them weather you do it or pay someone to do it.
At the very least, you'll know what you're paying for,

or not paying for. Because of the 'plug & play' features of the wiring and panels, you can put up strings of panels one Kw at a time. Put up the panels part by part as your funds will allow, eliminating borrowing. If your needs change or you move, you'll still have the skills and experience to do it again.
My Leaf is a virgin, it has only been charged with SUNLIGHT.
Good Luck.