Top 7 Best Solar Companies in New York (2024 Reviews)

In this guide to New York’s best solar companies, we’ll answer your questions including:

  • What are the best solar companies in New York?
  • What should you look for in a New York solar company?
  • How do you save money on solar panels in New York?
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Going solar in New York is massively beneficial, with the average solar system paying for itself in just 9 years and saving an additional $36,397, on average, on utility bills thereafter. While going solar in NY is a no-brainer, choosing a solar installer is a real challenge. This is especially true because there are around 255 installation companies to pick from in the Empire State.

In this guide, we’ll list what we believe are the best solar companies in New York based on a few different factors. We’ll also explain why each of these companies is likely to meet or exceed your expectations and where each of them falls short compared to competitors.

What Are the Best Solar Companies in New York?

We’ve spent dozens of hours combing through solar contractors in your area to find the best of the best. Below are what we believe are the seven best solar companies in New York:

Compare New York’s Top-Rated Solar Providers

Overall, we recommend you consider SunPower or ADT Solar for your home solar project in New York. The table below includes a quick look at what these providers offer, plus a look at how the other five of the best solar companies in New York compare.

Solar Providers Superlative Our Score Avg Cost ($–$$$$$) Warranty Financing Options Get Quote
SunPower Best National Provider 5/5 $$$$ Minimum of 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
ADT Solar Best Warranty Coverage 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production Cash or solar loan
Tesla Best Technology 4.5/5 $$ 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Trinity Solar Best Regional Provider 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment and production; 5 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Momentum Solar Best Customer Service 4.5/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Empower Solar Best Local Installer 4.5/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment, production and workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease Get Quote
SUNation Solar Best Service Offerings 4.5/5 $$$$ 25 years for equipment and production, 10 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease Get Quote
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SunPower

Best National Provider

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

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Pros

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer
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Tesla Energy

Best Technology

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

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Pros

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market

Cons

  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer
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Trinity Solar

Solar Veteran

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

Cons

  • Limited service area
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Momentum Solar

Best Regional Coverage

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

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Pros

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Representatives are experts on local policies

Cons

  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • Only available in 11 states
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EmPower Solar

Outstanding Local Installer

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • Excellent reputation

Cons

  • Limited information available on website
  • No leases or PPAs
Badge icon

SUNation Solar Systems

Solar Veteran

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Outstanding customer service

Cons

  • Limited service area
  • No leases or PPAs

Watch Below: How Can New Yorkers Save Money When Going Solar?

How to Save Money When Hiring a Solar Company in New York

At about $3.52 per watt, the price to go solar in New York is more than the national average of $3.33 per watt. This means the average New York homeowner will pay between $14,080 to $35,200 before the federal solar tax credit is applied. Solar panels can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways in which homeowners can save money on a new solar system.

New York Solar Incentives and Tax Credits

There are several tax incentives and rebate programs that help offset the cost of solar panel systems. You can talk to your solar installer and utility company to learn more about New York solar incentives, but here’s a quick snapshot:

Solar Incentives in NY Description of Solar Incentive Program
New York Solar Tax Credit The state of New York will credit up to 25% or $5,000 of your solar system, whichever is lower.
NY-Sun Megawatt Block Incentive A local rebate program that gives money back for every kilowatt installed. Rates vary.
New York Solar Sales Tax Exemption The state of New York waives state sales tax on solar equipment and installation, which can save homeowners thousands of dollars.
New York Net Metering Policies New York’s net metering program credits excess energy towards future energy bills.
Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) The U.S. solar incentive tax credit will credit homeowners 30% of the total cost of your solar system.

Choose the Right Solar System Size

Even the best solar panels won’t cover your energy bills if you don’t have a system large enough to generate sufficient energy, but you shouldn’t pay for a system that is too large, either. Instead, make sure you purchase a solar system designed to cover your monthly energy usage.

The average home in New York requires a 6.5-kilowatt solar system to completely offset energy costs.

At that size, a solar system will run about $16,016 after the ITC has been applied, which may be more manageable than a $24,640 10-kilowatt solar system. You can talk to your solar provider to figure out the right solar system size for your home.

New York Community Solar Programs

Because the average cost of electricity in New York is so high, more residents should be able to benefit from solar energy. As a result, several community solar programs have become available in New York. There are community solar projects across the state — from Long Island to upstate New York.5

New York is actually one of the top states — if not the top state, according to Governor Kathy Hochul — for community solar.6 This means you can find a solar project to help save you money on your electric bill without having to pay the high upfront cost of solar panels.

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value in New York?

Solar panels can save you money on your utility bills each month, but not all solar owners know their solar system will also increase the value of their home. Zillow completed a study and found that the average home will see a value increase of 4.1% after solar panel installation.7

Considering that the average home in New York is around $450,466, most homeowners stand to see a value increase of up to $18,469.8

The potential increase in your home’s value could help account for what you pay upfront for your solar panels, which is another reason going solar is a good investment in New York.

Should New York Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer or DIY?

Solar panel installation can be expensive, so if you have considered DIY solar installation to save on costs, you aren’t alone. Although installing your own panels may seem tempting, know it could cost you thousands of dollars down the road. Below, we’ll list the top reasons why you should leave your solar panel installation to the professionals, rather than DIY.

  • Ensure solar panel protection with workmanship warranties
  • Have a stress-free and efficient installation
  • Ensure quality installation of your panels

Get Protection with Workmanship Warranties

All of our top New York solar installers offer some sort of warranty, and many of them give you a workmanship warranty on top of the product and performance warranties provided by the manufacturer. Should your solar panels or roof become damaged during installation, the workmanship warranty will cover the cost to fix it.

If you install your PV panels yourself, you’ll miss out on essential protection. Without a workmanship warranty, even if you still have the product and performance warranties from your panel’s manufacturer, your coverage may not be honored if the manufacturer claims the damage was due to installation.

Have a Stress-Free and Efficient Installation

Solar panel installation is a large undertaking, and if you are not prepared, it could take days, weeks or even months to get your solar system up and running. Plus, you will need to gather permits, sign paperwork and pass a home inspection before you get permission to operate your panels.

The best solar companies take care of all the paperwork and permits for you. In many cases, it takes professional solar panel companies just one day to install your system.

Ensure Quality Installation

If you want your solar panels to operate at maximum efficiency to offset your high New York energy costs, then the quality of your installation is incredibly important. Solar contractors are specially trained to install solar panels so that both your roof and the panels remain undamaged. This also ensures your panels are securely fastened to your roof and do not come off during a severe storm.

A professional installer will make sure that the following are in order:

  • Your solar panel configuration is designed for maximum energy production
  • Your solar panels are properly wired to the inverter
  • Panels are safely and securely attached to your roof
  • Structural integrity of your roof and home remain intact

What Should New York Residents Look For in a Solar Installer?

close-up shot of solar panels

Everyone’s needs are different when it comes to solar, so what may be the best company for your neighbor might not be right for you. As you review the factors below, emphasize what will meet your home’s energy needs as you consider the best company for your solar installation.

  • Services offered
  • Installation process
  • Solar pricing and financing
  • Industry affiliations
  • Types of panels
  • Warranties

Services Offered

Due to the unique range of needs of home and business owners in New York, a variety of solar installers focus on different services. Most solar installers, such as Momentum Solar, will only offer solar panel installation and battery backup services, but the best companies like Kasselman and Trinity Solar have post-installation monitoring, electric vehicle charging installation, energy efficiency upgrades and more.

Some local installers, such as SUNnation, even have community solar projects in New York that you can opt into by paying a monthly fee. The more services a company offers, the better as homeowners can then work with that company again on future projects.

Installation Process

Before you sign any paperwork, make sure you’re confident in knowing how the installation process will work. Permitting and interconnection can vary from city to city, so it’s best to be sure you and your installer are familiar with the process. Some companies, such as Kasselman Solar, excel at pre- and post-installation communication, while others — such as EmPower — may not have as clear of a process.

Regardless, some questions you may want to ask solar providers as you gather quotes include:

  • When can you schedule my solar panel installation?
  • How many days will my solar installation take?
  • What is my utility company’s net metering policy?

Solar Pricing and Financing

Solar energy systems are a great investment, but one that takes planning and time to mature. Think about whether you might need special financing options if your budget is tight. Any of the top solar companies in New York should be able to assist you in applying for the federal solar tax credit, but specific financing options and flexibility will vary from provider to provider.

Remember that going solar in New York comes with a higher cost per watt than in most states, and with recent changes from net metering to the states VDER program, we wouldn’t be surprised if batteries become necessary in the future to keep long-term savings as high as they are — currently at $36,397 for New Yorkers. If that’s the case, low-cost installers will be more valuable, as will those that install batteries and offer multiple financing options for affordability and accessibility.

Price is a major factor for many homeowners, so if the most expensive SunPower Maxeon solar panels are not financially feasible, you can opt for more budget-friendly solar panel options from EmPower or Trinity Solar.

Industry Affiliations

We generally recommend hiring a company that maintains industry credentials, such as membership in the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a B Corp certification or affiliation with other professional associations. Memberships and certifications are a great indicator of the company’s professionalism, workmanship, reputation and reliability.

Many of the companies on our list have received some sort of award for quality solar installations, and SUNation and Kasselman Solar have both proven to be excellent, award-winning solar installers.

Types of Panels

Some types of solar panels are better than others, and each company will offer a slightly different product portfolio. Small homes in more dense cities will likely need high-efficiency solar panels, while homes with more space might opt for a sleek design.

It can’t hurt to ask what brands of panels your company has available, and why they might recommend each. Certifications from some of the best solar panel brands like Panasonic, Tesla or SunPower might also be a good indicator of legitimacy.

Warranty

Finally, we recommend finding an installer that offers a good warranty. Solar panels are durable pieces of technology, but severe New York weather and heavy snow can damage them. The best solar warranties will last 25 years and cover the equipment, workmanship and performance of your solar system.

We see some of the best warranties from SunPower, Momentum and Kasselman Solar, but each of the other solar providers on our list does offer a good 25-year warranty.

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The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.

Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Solar Companies in New York

Since there are around 240 solar installers that operate throughout New York, we spent countless hours researching each of them to find the ones that we believe will provide the best experience possible. We ranked each based on six different criteria, which we believe are the most important for New Yorkers.

We’ll explain how we weighted these factors below and why we believe they’re important for New York solar customers.

  • Local reputation and reviews (20%): With an above-average demand for solar — NY is ranked 9th in the nation for solar demand — there are a lot of companies that pop up just to turn a profit. To help rule out these providers and only recommend reputable installers, we assess companies based on their local reputation for customer service and customer reviews. Companies with few complaints, mostly positive reviews and a history of customer satisfaction naturally rank higher in our ratings.
  • Pricing and financing (20%): The cost of solar equipment is higher in New York than the average in the country at $3.52 per watt. That means above-average prices per kW installed, which naturally makes solar arrays in the state less accessible overall. We rank companies higher that maintain average or below-average pricing without sacrificing quality. We also prioritize installers that accept all four payment options to help make their services more widely accessible.
  • Services offered (20%): Many solar customers in NY choose add-on products like batteries to maintain power through blackouts and EV chargers to make the most of their solar systems and maximize their energy savings. Companies that have a wider range of services and go above and beyond solar to include other energy efficiency upgrades get bumped up in our rankings.
  • Warranty coverage (20%): Since PV equipment is so expensive in New York on a per-watt basis, we believe it’s extra important to get robust warranty coverage to keep your system protected. We specifically look for efficiency warranties, which will help your system continue to offset your above-average energy prices, as well as workmanship warranties that keep your panels safe through the occasional extreme weather and above-average rainfall in New York.
  • Company experience (10%): New York has more solar incentives than most states, including a state tax credit, a battery rebate and more. We prioritize companies with at least five years of experience — and, specifically, local experience — because they’re more likely to be able to help you take advantage of the available perks. Plus, experienced companies are more likely to stick around and keep your warranty coverage intact.
  • Brand quality (10%): Finally, we assess each installer based on the brands of equipment they install. We prefer companies that offer high-efficiency panels like Maxeon to appeal to those New Yorkers who want the best chance of offsetting their above-average energy bills, as well as more affordable options that can help keep installation costs at a more reasonable number.

Read More About Going Solar in New York

FAQ: Best Solar Companies in New York

At EcoWatch, we’re happy to get questions about the process and costs of getting rooftop solar from New York residents. Below are some of the questions we see most often, along with our responses. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.

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Article author
Based in the Minneapolis area, Alora is an avid writer of both fiction and non-fiction. Alora has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in child, family and school psychology, but she has always had a love for biology and environmental studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Alora spent her days working with children with disabilities and nights as a freelance writer of commercial, blog and technical content. When she is not at the workplace, Alora can be found hiking with her dogs, chasing sunsets with her camera or plotting her next novel.
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Expert reviewer
Tori is an editor, writer, rock climber and travel enthusiast. A native New Yorker, she graduated from the College of Saint Rose with a degree in communications and journalism. Before joining EcoWatch, Tori helped to oversee communication strategies for the City of Philadelphia. Her experience also includes communications work in the nonprofit and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering political, environmental and social issues in New York's Hudson Valley. In her spare time, Tori can be found in the mountains climbing boulders, traveling to new cities or at one of Philadelphia's many music venues.

Comparing authorized solar partners

EcoWatch rating
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
  • 5.0
    • Most efficient panels on the market
    • National coverage
    • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
    • Great warranty coverage
    • Expensive
    • Customer service varies by local dealer
    A+
    Best National Provider
    1985
    SunPower Panels
    25-year all-inclusive warranty

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