Why New Yorkers Should Go Solar
New York has some of the highest electricity rates in the country, with residents paying around $0.20 per kWh on average. This is nearly double the national average. With high energy demand and an aging infrastructure relying heavily on fossil fuels, rates continue to rise each year.
Installing solar panels allows New Yorkers to take control of their energy costs while also being eco-friendly. Solar energy systems can offset 50-100% of household energy usage. And with New York‘s abundant solar resource and statewide incentives, going solar is an increasingly attractive option.
The key is finding the right solar company to handle the installation and ongoing maintenance. The best solar providers in New York offer competitive pricing, financing options, top-tier equipment, and warranties to give you peace of mind with a major investment.
How We Chose the Best Solar Companies in New York
In evaluating the top solar companies in New York, key factors we considered included:
- Years in business and number of installations completed
- Pricing and financing options
- Warranties offered on workmanship and solar panel production
- Customization options on types of panels and inverters
- Reviews and complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Types of service offerings – do they do solar design, sale, installation, etc
Established experience matters when you’re making a 20+ year investment, as does financial stability. Comprehensive warranties give you assurance the products and workmanship will hold up. And customizable options allow you to tailor the system to your home‘s needs.
We dug into the fine details of these and other factors for major NY solar providers. Here are our top 7 picks:
1. SunPower
With over 35 years of solar innovation and 350,00+ installations under their belt, SunPower is an established industry leader. They manufacture their own high efficiency panels and offer robust warranty packages.
SunPower panels have an average efficiency of 22% compared to 16-20% for standard panels. This equates to higher energy output per panel and often a better use of limited roof space. Their proprietary Maxeon solar cell technology offers high durability too.
For pricing, SunPower solar systems range from $2.83 – $3.46 per watt depending on system size. Their pricing is competitive but often on the higher end. You pay more upfront with SunPower but can recoup greater long term energy savings.
SunPower offers ample financing options including solar loans, PPAs, and leases. Importantly, they provide a 25 year warranty on both materials and labor – one of the longest coverage terms in the industry. This offers tremendous long term protection on your investment.
With proven technology, robust warranties and plenty of custom panel options, SunPower is a top choice for going solar if budget allows.
2. Tesla
Recognized around the world for innovation in electric vehicles and batteries, Tesla has translated their tech expertise seamlessly into solar. Their sleek panel design and integrated Powerwall battery options bring a modern edge.
Across reviews, Tesla stands out for exceptional customer service throughout the solar purchasing and installation process. Many reviewers say the process was the best home service experience they’ve ever had.
Tesla requires much lower upfront payment than competitors, often under $1000 to start. They offer straightforward pricing at roughly $2 per watt – up to 20% below the national average. This makes Tesla solar more affordable than most.
They provide an overproduction guarantee ensuring your system generates as much or more energy than originally estimated. Add in a robust 25 year warranty on panel production and Tesla is a trustworthy solar investment for the long run.
While Tesla doesn’t manufacture panels themselves, they’ve developed lasting partnerships with top tier suppliers like Panasonic to create high grade equipment.
If you prioritize low cost of entry and a seamless customer experience, Tesla stands out as a top solar company in New York and nationally.
3. Trinity Solar
Trinity Solar specializes in turnkey residential solar installations across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Since 1994, they have installed over 80,000 panels with a 99% customer satisfaction rating.
Trinity offers flexible options from full system ownership to PPAs to go solar for little to no upfront cost. Purchase pricing starts at $2.73 per watt. This is below the current market rate while still using industry leading equipment.
For equipment, Trinity installs top brands such as REC, Canadian Solar and Sunpower panels matched with Enphase microinverters. Equipment comes with 25 year panel production and 5-10 year parts warranties.
Trinity manages the entire solar process in-house including permits and grid connection paperwork. Their project managers provide dedicated guidance as your single point-of-contact from start to finish. Multiple financing avenues make packages affordable too.
With a 4.8/5 star overall review average on SolarReviews.com backed by over 200 customer evaluations, Trinity delivers a stellar solar experience for NY homes.
4. Sunrun
For New Yorkers looking for a true solar partner, Sunrun should be on your short list. They pioneered the solar-as-a-service model and remain an industry leader in solar leasing.
Sunrun handles everything from design to permitting to installation and ongoing monitoring. You pay a fixed monthly rate based only on the energy produced. Sunrun handles system ownership, maintenance and any necessary repairs for complete peace of mind.
They offer both lease and purchase options with flexible payment plans. You can buy panels starting at $3 per watt or lease for roughly 20-30% savings over your current electric bill.
Equipment warranties span 25 years for panels and 10 years for parts. Monitoring is included to track real-time solar production and optimize system performance.
While pricing is very competitive, Sunrun’s full-service model and top-notch customer service are what set them apart in NY, resulting in a 4.5/5 average customer review score.
5. Momentum Solar
Momentum Solar brings a personal touch to turning interested homeowners into satisfied long term solar clients. Their consultative approach and tailored packages make it easy to go solar.
As a newer company founded in 2009, Momentum has seen rapid expansion while retaining customer satisfaction as their top priority. They hold an A+ rating with the BBB further underscoring quality business practices.
Momentum shines when it comes to customer service. You work closely with a dedicated project manager instead of getting passed between departments. This single point-of-contact streamlines the process while giving customized solar recommendations.
Equipment is tier one across the board from q-cell, Longi, or REC panels to Solaredge inverters. Generous warranty protection includes 25 years for production on materials and labor.
For pricing, Momentum solar installs high quality equipment with quotes averaging $3.50 per watt. While not the lowest upfront cost solar option, Momentum delivers excellent long term value.
6. ADT Solar
ADT Solar brings over 145 years of security and smart home expertise in providing solar solutions that give customers ultimate control and savings. Part of the ADT family of brands, ADT Solar serves over 8,500 customers across more than a dozen states.
The company partners with premier equipment suppliers such as LG, Panasonic and Enphase to create customized solar and battery storage systems. This flexibility and high performance technology makes ADT Solar a standout provider.
ADT Solar handles the full process from design consultation through installation and ongoing customer support. Multiple financing options make packages affordable including flexible loans, leases and PPAs.
Equipment warranties are generous across the board. This includes 25 year coverage for panel production, inverters, and labor – exceeding the industry standard.
For New Yorkers seeking a truly personalized solar experience backed by an innovator in smart home technology, ADT Solar hits the mark.
7. Palmetto Solar
South Carolina based Palmetto Solar has quickly expanded since 2011 into 14 states serving over 23,000 homeowners. They bring next level monitoring technology paired with responsive customer service.
Palmetto handles the full solar transaction from assessment to system design to permitting, installation, monitoring and beyond. This streamlined process minimizes hassle while keeping projects on budget.
They utilize premium equipment from manufacturers like LG, Sunpower and Enphase. Robust warranties include 25 years for solar panel production and 10 years for workmanship.
Palmetto shines when it comes to their propriety monitoring platform giving homeowners full insight into system performance. You can easily track daily production metrics through the online portal or mobile app.
For pricing, Palmetto offers flexible purchase and finance options often with little to no money down. Average install cost runs $2.50 – $3.50 per watt making Palmetto very competitively priced.
Boasting a 4.8/5 rating across over 16,000 reviews, Palmetto delivers premium technology combined with a fantastic customer experience.
Incentives for Going Solar in New York
Beyond the long term bill savings from lower energy rates, New York offers some of the best solar incentives nationwide to cut costs further of going solar:
Federal Solar Tax Credit – Covers 30% of system cost through 2032 with no cap on credit amount
NY State Tax Credit – Rebates up to $5,000 or 25% of project costs over 5 years
NY-Sun Incentive – Point-of-sale rebate up to $1,500 per kW installed
Property Tax Exemption – 100% of system value exempt from local property taxes for 15 years
Sales Tax Exemption – Waives state sales tax on solar equipment
Solar Renewable Energy Credits – Generates additional income by selling your solar credits per kWh produced
With incentives combined with long term utility savings, ROI for a solar system in NY can now be under 5 years. The benefits only continue to grow from there making solar power an exceptional home upgrade.
Key Takeaways – Finding the Best Solar Company in NY for You
- High electricity costs and ample sun make New York a prime state for solar savings
- Top solar companies like SunPower, Tesla, Trinity offer competitive pricing, financing options plus long equipment and labor warranties
- State incentives can reduce overall installation costs by 50% or more
- With faster payback periods now, solar power gives NY homeowners more control over expenses
Shopping among our top 7 picks while maximizing state/federal incentives can put you firmly on the path to energy independence. Reach out to providers for quotes and use our side-by-side analysis to find your best NY solar match.
