Best Solar Companies in New York (2024)
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New York is one of the best states to install a solar panel system. Its prices have dropped 50% over the past 10 years, and it offers plenty of tax incentives to maximize your investment. However, there are more than 200 solar installers in the state, so finding the right solar company can be challenging.
We researched the best solar panel companies in the United States to determine which providers have the best solar panels, warranties, customer support services, and perks. This guide breaks down the costs and services of the best solar companies in New York.
Compare Solar Companies Across NY
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New York’s Top Solar Installation Companies
Based on our research and methodology, these are the best solar companies in New York state:
- Momentum Solar: Best for Guided Services
- Sunrun: Best for Home Builders
- Venture Solar: Best for Northeast Residents
- Solanta Solar: Best for Home Remodeling
- Solar4America: Best for Smaller Solar Projects
SunPower
- Warranty options: 25-year system and labor warranty
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (Maxeon)
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan, and solar lease
What we like: Founded in 1985, SunPower has decades of experience in the solar energy industry and an above-average 25-year warranty for its systems and labor. The company’s SunPower Design Studio lets you tailor your solar system to New York’s climate and your individual energy needs.
SunPower produces some of the most efficient panels on the market through its partnership with Maxeon, formerly an in-house manufacturer. The rest of its system components are produced in-house and designed to work optimally together.
Read More: SunPower Review
Palmetto Solar
- Warranty options: 25-year manufacturer warranty
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (Q Cells)
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and PPA
What we like: Palmetto Solar’s Peace of Mind Plan includes active monitoring of your system and discounts on panel cleaning and solar battery services. Its smartphone app, The Palmetto App, tracks your system’s performance by day, week, and month. You can also set spending goals and receive one-click customer support.
Palmetto Solar includes a 25-year manufacturer warranty for Q Cells monocrystalline solar panels.
Momentum Solar
- Warranty options: 25-year workmanship and equipment warranty
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and power purchase agreement (PPA)
What we like: Momentum Solar limits its availability to states with well-established net-metering programs. These programs allow you to sell the surplus energy generated by your solar panel system back to the grid. Your utility company subtracts that amount from your energy bills. Momentum Solar helps customers enroll in New York’s solar rebate and incentive programs.
Momentum Solar also analyzes your electricity bills from the past 12 months to maximize savings. It provides a combination 25-year workmanship and equipment warranty.
Sunrun
- Warranty options: 25-year workmanship and product warranty
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and PPA
What we like: We recommend Sunrun for those reroofing or building a New York home. The company offers perks for both commercial and residential home builders. Its BuilderChoice New Homes Program provides a dedicated team to handle the complicated paperwork required to set up your system and ensure it’s code-compliant. The company also works with your choice of roofers to subcontract labor.
Venture Solar
- Warranty options: 25-year product warranty
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan, and solar lease
What we like: Venture Solar offers aesthetically pleasing solar panel systems with a sleek, simplistic design. Its triple-black systems are produced symmetrically with flush-cut rails and no visible wirings or mounting devices.
Venture Solar is a regional solar installer located in Brooklyn. Its customer support team is knowledgeable about New York tax incentives and net-metering programs and can connect you to the right ones.
Solanta Solar
- Warranty options: 10-year workmanship warranty
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (Panasonic, Canadian Solar, Solaria, and Maxeon)
- Payment options: Full purchase, solar loan, and solar lease
What we like: Solanta Solar is another great New York solar installer if you’re remodeling your home. It offers several unique additional services focused on remodelings, such as solar energy integration with smart-home automation and home security devices. It also offers roof installation.
Solanta Solar operates exclusively in New York and deeply understands the state’s residential solar energy legislation. Its staffers are experts on local climate, energy solutions, code compliance, and other legislation involving your local municipality and Homeowners Associations.
Solar4America
- Warranty options: 10- to 12-year quality assurance, 25-year performance guarantees (varies by product)
- Panel options: Monocrystalline (Solar4America)
- Payment options: Full purchase and solar loan
What we like: Solar4America operates on a different service model than many New York solar companies. Rather than outsourcing system components, the company self-manufactures a wide range of solar panels, solar batteries, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Solar4America also works with a certified contractor in your area to provide professional installation.
Solar4America offers comprehensive solar kits ideal for small solar projects, such as converting your pool house or RV. These kits help you, or a certified contractor, create an entirely off-grid solar panel system.
Factors That Affect Solar Installation Cost in New York
The average solar system in New York costs $11,918 to $19,097.* These are some of the most significant factors that impact solar panel costs:
- Type of solar panel: Monocrystalline panels are the most popular type of solar panel because they offer the highest efficiency rates, averaging 24%. They’re also the most costly, ranging from $1 to $1.50 per watt. Polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels are more affordable, ranging from $0.75 to $1.50 per watt. However, you may need more of them to compensate for their lower efficiency.
- Payment option: A full payment is the most cost-effective option because you avoid paying interest rates and get access to tax incentives. A solar loan is the second-best option because you can still enroll in tax incentive programs. Solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) come with little to no up-front costs but disqualify you from incentives and won’t save you money in the long run.
- Additional equipment: Most solar systems require a solar battery to store excess energy you can use during power grid outages. You may also opt for an EV charger if you own an electric vehicle. Adding these solar products increases your installation cost.
- Roof design: Angled roofs provide maximum sun exposure, requiring fewer solar panels. Flat roofs require the construction of angled platforms, adding to your labor costs. Your roof’s age and structural soundness also influence the cost of solar panel installation. Repairing or upgrading your roof to support panels comes with an additional expense.
*This price range is based on 2024 reports from multiple sources.
Solar Tax Incentives in New York
The Empire State offers a variety of solar tax incentives to reduce the cost of going solar. We also suggest New Yorkers take advantage of the federal tax credit. This allows you to claim 30% of the total cost of your solar installation on your federal taxes. This rate will decrease to 26% in 2033 and drop to 22% in 2034.
Read New York’s solar incentives in detail below.
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This public-private partnership offers various solar incentives to New York homeowners. Namely, it increases the rebate amount for households earning less than 80% of the median income in their area. |
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This program provides up to $1,000 for every kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed. |
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This program exempts property taxes for the added home value solar panel systems provide. It includes a four-year tax abatement of 5% of eligible expenditures. The maximum abatement is $62,500 per year for four years or the building’s annual tax liability, whichever is less. |
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This credit offers up to 25% in state tax credit for home solar systems purchased in New York. It maxes out at a $5,000 state tax reduction. |
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This exempts retail sales and installations of commercial solar energy equipment from the 4% New York State sales tax rate and the 3/8% sales tax rate in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD). |
What to Expect from Your Solar Installation Inspection
New York requires a home inspection before installation to ensure the solar installer knows what rigging system, panels, inverters, energy storage systems, and other vital components you need.
To save time, reach out to your local government to vet an installer before they come to your home. They can tell you if the installer is licensed and in good standing with the community. Tyler Adams, Astrawatt Solar’s director of marketing, also recommends contacting your local utility company. “Many local utility companies will provide homeowners with a list of questions to ask a solar installer,” Adams says. “Any good solar installer will be able to answer those questions and can use those as a guide for what to expect as you convert your home to using solar energy.”
Solar installation inspections usually follow these steps:
- Roof inspection: The company measures your roof to check the fit and dimensions. It identifies existing roof obstructions and discusses modifications to the proposed layout. Roof damage, including broken tiles and worn shingles, is photographed.
- Attic inspection: A solar installer checks your attic for accessibility and assesses the truss layout, or the assumed location of each beam.
- Electrical inspection: The solar company evaluates your home’s current electrical system and creates a utility interconnection plan. It also notes the locations of electrical conduits and disconnecting means, such as outlets.
- Internet inspection: An installer may ask about your internet access to determine if performance monitoring hardware should be installed.
Our Recommendation
New York is an excellent state to transition to solar power. It offers plenty of tax incentives, sunshine, and solar installers. Momentum Solar is our most recommended provider because it offers high-quality monocrystalline solar systems, a comprehensive warranty, and access to established net-metering programs.
Those concerned about the security of their solar investment should consider Palmetto Solar for its Peace of Mind Plan. If you’re starting from scratch with a new home or looking to revamp your home’s roof, we suggest Sunrun’s BuilderChoice New Homes Program.
Get at least three quotes from solar companies to closely compare services, warranties, and pricing. Use our tool below to request free quotes from top solar companies near you.
Best Solar Companies in New York FAQ
Do I need to tell my energy supplier I have solar panels?
Yes, you need to tell your energy supplier you’re installing solar panels. You’ll have to switch to an eligible supplier if your current provider doesn’t work with solar energy. Your chosen solar company will also work closely with your utility company for home inspections.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in NYC?
Yes, you need a permit to install solar panels in NYC. You need both a construction and an electrical work permit. Many companies will handle the permitting process for you.
Do you have to qualify for solar panels?
Yes, you must qualify for solar panel installation. A solar installer conducts an initial home inspection to determine if you’re a viable candidate for solar panels. This includes evaluating your roof’s design, the amount of shading you experience, and other environmental factors.
What is NY-Sun?
The NY-Sun Initiative is a joint public-private initiative established in 2012 to develop a sustainable and subsidy-free solar industry in New York state. It provides various solar incentives to New York homeowners. Namely, it increases the rebate amount for households earning less than 80% of the median income in their area.
How We Chose the Top Solar Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of solar panels and solar installation companies. We then formulated a rating system based on each solar installer or manufacturer’s services and products. We weighed several significant factors, including the quality and type of solar panels offered, the customer support network, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional benefits such as mobile apps for monitoring and customer service.
Speaking directly to representatives, we determined how each solar company personalizes its solar panel installation for each home. We also analyzed each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and performance guarantees match or exceed industry standards.
We evaluated each provider based on their rating and history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.
Read more: Our Methodology
