Best Solar Companies in New York, New York

We’ve talked to hundreds of New Yorkers who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what New York residents should look out for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.

Solar panel costs in New York City

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $10,360 to $29,600 in New York. Prices in New York are comparable, ranging from $11,235 to $32,100.

This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts.

System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average New York household needs a system with a capacity of 9.22 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in New York City

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers low-interest solar loans for low-income residents and for those who may not qualify for traditional loans. Eligible residents can borrow between $1,500 and $25,000.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Is solar worth it in New York City?

Solar panels are generally worth it in New York if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, New York City homeowners with solar panels can avoid $75,242 in total utility costs over 25 years.

The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 6 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

As long as your house is a good candidate for solar, it’s at least worth considering. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This is an expensive and frustrating process.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

How to find a reputable solar company in New York City

In our experience, the best solar companies in New York have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.

• Check certifications: The NYSERDA is a good place to start. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
• Get quotes: Get multiple quotes from different solar companies to compare prices and services. Be cautious of companies that provide significantly lower estimates than others — this may indicate lower quality.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

Going solar in New York County

Urban homeowners in New York often face space limitations, so rooftop installations may be smaller or less efficient. For city residents, solar energy battery storage can help offset peak electricity prices and improve resilience during outages.

» BEST STATES FOR SOLAR: New York ranked 6th in 2024

Solar incentives in New York City

The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is still the best incentive for most homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. You can combine the ITC with local solar incentives in New York to maximize savings.

For instance, there’s no sales tax on solar equipment, and renewable energy equipment is exempt from property taxes for 15 years on multifamily residential buildings. The NY-Sun program makes solar adoption more affordable for homes, businesses and multifamily buildings. There’s also a personal tax credit for residents going solar.

» GREENEST STATES: New York ranked 8th in 2024

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in New York, New York. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified New York City customers were given preference.

Warranties: 20%
A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

Equipment selection: 20%
We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

Financing and payment options: 20%
We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

1. EmPower Solar
2. Sunrun
3. CleanChoice Energy