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5 Best Solar Companies in New York (2025 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 $36,397, on average, on utility bills thereafter. While going solar in NY is a no-brainer, choosing a solar installer is a real challenge. This is especially true because there are around 255 installation companies to pick from in the Empire State.
In this guide, we’ll list what we believe are the best solar companies in New York based on a few different factors. We’ll also explain why each of these companies is likely to meet or exceed your expectations and where each of them falls short compared to competitors.
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Outstanding Regional Installer
Provides a mobile app for monitoringFlexible financing optionsIn-home consultations
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Best Social Impact
Variety of services and support optionsOperates in 24 statesMakes charitable contributions
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What Are the Best Solar Companies in New York?
We’ve spent dozens of hours combing through solar contractors in your area to find the best of the best. Below are what we believe are the seven best solar companies in New York:
- Tesla Solar: Best Technology
- Trinity Solar: Best Regional Provider
- Momentum Solar: Best Customer Service
- Empower Solar: Best Local Installer
- SUNation Solar: Best Service Offerings
Compare New York’s Top-Rated Solar Providers
The table below includes a quick look at how the five of the best solar companies in New York compare.
| Solar Providers | Superlative | Our Score | Avg Cost ($–$$$$$) | Warranty | Financing Options |
| Tesla | Best Technology | 4.5/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA |
| Trinity Solar | Best Regional Provider | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and production; 5 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA |
| Momentum Solar | Best Customer Service | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA |
| Empower Solar | Best Local Installer | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, production and workmanship | Cash, solar loan, solar lease |
| SUNation Solar | Best Service Offerings | 4.5/5 | $$$$ | 25 years for equipment and production, 10 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan, solar lease |
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Blue Raven Solar
Best Solar Financing
Pros
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Doesn’t offer leases or PPAs
Tesla Energy
Best Technology
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
Tesla’s panels and batteries have some of the most appealing features. Its products interface seamlessly with one another to provide things like StormWatch, which automatically prepares your solar array for blackout conditions.
Tesla outsources its installations, but it’s still a good option for New Yorkers to go solar.
Why We Chose Tesla as the Best Technology
Tesla’s solar panels are sleek, all-black and boast an above-average efficiency rating. Most homeowners care a great deal about the appearance of their panels, and Tesla not only delivers some of the most appealing options but it also offers the Tesla solar roof, a popular panel alternative.
Tesla’s batteries and EV chargers are also quite advanced, giving you the total solar package and letting you customize for your specific needs. The battery can be set to maximize your storage for emergencies or your savings based on your local energy prices, which is great in NY, where electricity prices are more than 1.5x the national average and gas prices are well above the national average as well.
Tesla offers price matching, which makes its panels some of the most affordable options in the industry. Again, this is important in New York, given that the state average cost per watt is significantly higher than it is in most other states.
We also have to say that we love the Tesla Powerwall and believe it holds up to the hype. Solar batteries like this are going to become more and more beneficial as NEM policies change, so it’s great to choose a provider that’s at the forefront of the solar battery industry.
What We Don’t Like
There are two primary downsides to working with Tesla. First, the company uses third-party solar contractors to handle all of its installations, so Tesla is really just a manufacturer. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but it does mean that there’s less consistency among its installers, so you might run into poor communication and customer service.
Second, Tesla only installs its own products. The panels and batteries are considered above-average in terms of performance and quality, but still, we prefer when companies offer other brands to appeal to a wider audience.
Read our full review of Tesla for more information.
Solar Products
Tesla only offers its own panel brand, which is really produced by QCells. The Tesla panels have a great efficiency rating of around 21%, which should be plenty to offset the above-average energy bills in New York — around $134.07 per month. The other performance specs are good but not the best in the industry, but again, they should be plenty powerful and durable for the energy needs and weather in New York.
Tesla’s solar roof is the most popular solar roof shingle option in the industry. For New Yorkers looking for a more natural outward appearance, this will likely be the preferred option. However, these come at a cost of around 2–3x the price of solar panels, according to Tesla’s website.
Tesla also installs and offers the following equipment and services alongside its panels and solar roof:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Tesla EV chargers
- The Tesla solar monitoring app
Financing Options
Like SunPower, Tesla entertains cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases and PPAs. Cash and solar loans are going to be your best options for maximizing your solar savings. Leases and PPAs are more widely accessible, but you should consider that they preclude you from taking the federal tax credit, and they can complicate the sale of your home. They also don’t improve your home value like cash or a loan would. Still, it’s great to have these options alongside price matching, especially as batteries become a necessity and complete systems get more expensive.
Warranty Information
Tesla’s warranty coverage is right in line with the industry average, for the most part. It offers 25 years of coverage for the equipment, which is average, 25 years for the performance, which is slightly above average and 10 years for the labor, which is average.
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Best Technology
Facts and Figures: Tesla Energy
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| C |
| $$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Solar Roof Shingles, System Monitoring |
Trinity Solar
Solar Veteran
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Cons
- Limited service area
Trinity Solar has serviced New Yorkers for more than 20 years. Its experience and local expertise makes it a popular option for New Yorkers looking for a more personal touch and better customer service.
The company has a less-than-ideal workmanship warranty, but we feel its experience mostly makes up for the lack of coverage.
Why We Chose Trinity Solar as the Best Regional Provider
Trinity Solar has a ton of localized experience. Its representatives and technicians fully understand the needs of New York homeowners, and they are equipped to help customers navigate the many local solar incentives available in the Empire State. Those include New York Solar Energy System Equipment Credit, the NY-Sun Megawatt Block Incentive, net metering and more. Ultimately, the personalized service you receive could end up saving you money on your solar project.
Trinity Solar donates $100 to the charity of your choice if you sit with a sales rep and get an estimate. It increases that donation to $1,000 if you move forward with the installation. We love to see companies like this giving back to the community, and this helps Trinity make a more significant impact on the solar industry and the state as a whole.
Trinity also offers a nice variety of solar panel brands, which can help customers either maximize their long-term savings or minimize their upfront installation costs. This is important in a high-cost-per-watt area like NY.
What We Don’t Like
In our opinion, the most significant downside to working with Trinity is the limited workmanship warranty, which lasts for just five years. This is half the industry average, and it’s an important thing to consider in a state like New York, where above-average rainfall and some extreme weather can pose a threat to your system if improperly installed.
Trinity has also been known to run into some slow response times after the installation is completed. If you have a warranty claim for an issue that’s causing a drop in production, you could be on the hook for paying those above-average New York energy rates for some time.
Read our full Trinity Solar review for more information.
Solar Products
Trinity Solar mostly installs panels manufactured by QCells. This is a tier-one panel brand that has a maximum efficiency of 21.4%. This is above the industry average and should be plenty to help you offset your high utility bills in New York.
QCells panels also offer excellent quality and durability, but they’re a little more affordable on a per-watt basis than many comparable brands like REC and Silfab. As such, we feel they’re a good option for keeping installation costs low in New York, where they’re normally well above average.
Below is a list of some additional products and services Trinity Solar provides to its customers:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Generac solar batteries
- Enphase and Tesla solar monitoring apps
Once again, we love seeing options for solar batteries, especially since the future likely holds lower net metering credit rates and lower savings without batteries for New Yorkers.
Financing Options
Trinity Solar accepts cash purchases, loans, leases and PPAs, so it remains one of the most accessible regional solar panel installers in the state. We suggest choosing to pay in cash or with a loan, but a lease might be best for you if you can’t afford to pay cash and won’t qualify for a solar loan. These additional options may become more valuable in the future if incentives change for the worse like they are in other states.
Warranty Information
Trinity Solar includes a 25-year warranty for its equipment and the panel performance, which should help ensure your panels continue to offset your energy bills. The equipment warranty is average, and the performance warranty is slightly longer than average.
Unfortunately, the labor warranty lasts for just five years, which is half the industry average. We’d really love to see longer coverage, especially in an area like New York that is prone to heavy rainfall and some extreme weather.
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Solar Veteran
Facts and Figures: Trinity Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Momentum Solar
Best Regional Coverage
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
Momentum Solar is known for its outstanding customer service. It’s one of the only companies that offers a concierge service to all customers, making it super simple to stay in communication with the provider.
Momentum was recently named in a lawsuit for racial discrimination, although the claims haven’t been substantiated.
Why We Chose Momentum Solar as the Best for Customer Service
Momentum Solar is a large company, but it still manages to provide outstanding customer service and communication. All of its customers get access to its concierge service, which means you’ll only ever have a single point of contact at the company. That means it’s easy to get updates on your project, get warranty coverage if you need it and speak to real humans about incentives, permits and more. This is huge in a state with 250 installers and no guarantee that other options are going to serve you well.
Momentum has extensive local experience in New York. They not only understand what New Yorkers need in terms of power production, but they’re also intimately familiar with the incentives available from the state, different municipalities and local electric companies. For example, its techs are more likely to find incentives specific to counties — like Nassau, Queens and Suffolk, as well as upstate counties — and from individual electric companies, like PSEG and National Grid.
That means they can often help you maximize your savings and reduce your system costs — an important perk in a high-cost area like NY, where per watt prices are nearly 10% higher than the national average.
Momentum helps keep solar as accessible as possible, as well, by accepting all payment options and maintaining average pricing.
What We Don’t Like
Momentum was recently accused of racial discrimination and is currently in the middle of a class-action lawsuit related to these allegations. The company recently reached a settlement, although details aren’t available about the case proceedings or the settlement amount. Of course, even being accused of this is a pretty major downside in our book.
Momentum Solar’s line of services is also somewhat limited, as it only installs solar panels and batteries. New Yorkers looking to install EV chargers — which many are, given the high local demand for EVs — or for other energy efficiency upgrades — which are important in areas like NY that have above-average energy prices — will need to turn elsewhere.
Read our full review of Momentum Solar for more information.
Solar Products
Most solar installers have partnerships with specific manufacturers, but Momentum is one of the few that routinely sources products from a wide variety of companies. Brand variety is a great thing to have access to in a place like New York because it lets you customize your system for things like maximum energy production and savings or minimal upfront installation costs.
Importantly, Momentum does note that it only installs tier-one panel brands and monocrystalline panels, which most customers in New York should opt for anyway.
There are two additional products/services that Momentum provides to New Yorkers:
- Enphase solar batteries
- The Enphase solar monitoring app
We’re pleased to see solar batteries available, although we would love to see additional options. That would be helpful if the net metering rate dips in the state.
Financing Options
Momentum Solar accepts cash purchases and provides access to loans, leases and PPAs. Although we don’t recommend leases or PPAs due to the minimal savings and potential complications they cause with selling your home, it’s great to see a variety of payment options to help as many customers as possible convert to renewable energy. They might also be the only options accessible to New Yorkers if batteries start becoming a necessity and drive up installation costs.
Warranty Information
Momentum Solar’s warranty lasts for 25 years and covers the equipment, the panel efficiency and the workmanship. This is outstanding, especially because the production warranty is a bit longer than average, and the labor warranty is 2.5x the industry average.
In New York, where avoiding the well-above-average electricity prices is paramount to maximizing solar savings, we feel that the production warranty is the biggest selling point for Momentum in terms of warranty coverage.
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Best Regional Coverage
Facts and Figures: Momentum Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Year Founded |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
| Warranty Coverage |
| 4.5 |
| A+ |
| 2009 |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
| Q Cells, REC, Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, Canadian Solar and others depending on location |
| 25-year manufacturer and workmanship warranties |
EmPower Solar
Outstanding Local Installer
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Limited information available on website
- No leases or PPAs
Empower Solar is a small local installer with two decades of experience and a wealth of localized knowledge behind its installations. The company is known for outstanding customer service and for providing high-efficiency systems ideal in NY.
Empower only installs a single brand of panels, but we still feel like it’s the best local company overall.
Why We Chose Empower Solar as the Best Local Installer
Empower Solar is what we believe to be the best local solar company for customers on Long Island. It has been around for decades and has completed thousands of installations throughout Nassau and Suffolk County. As a small company, it’s able to provide industry-leading customer service and communication, so you’ll be in good hands with this provider.
Empower installs high-efficiency Maxeon panels that will provide the best chance of eliminating your above-average energy bills, even as the state transitions from the old net metering policy to the new Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) program.
The representatives are passionate about clean energy and are well-versed in New York’s state and local incentive programs. The reps can help you file for all of the available solar perks in your area to maximize your savings.
Empower also provides outstanding warranty coverage in line with the best of the best in the industry.
What We Don’t Like
There are two downsides to working with Empower, in our opinion. The first is that this is a small company with a limited service area. Its size does let it provide outstanding customer service and one-on-one customer care, but homeowners outside of Long Island won’t be able to move forward with Empower’s services.
Second, Empower only installs SunPower panels. Again, these are the best of the best, but it means customers won’t have panel options better suited for tighter budgets.
Solar Products
Empower only installs Maxeon panels from SunPower. These have the highest efficiency rating available for rooftop solar systems, making them ideal for combatting the high energy bills in New York.
They’re also super durable and should have no issue standing up to the occasional extreme weather on Long Island. They come with excellent warranty coverage, too, so you can rest assured that your solar investment is fully covered when you choose Empower.
Below, we’ll include a quick list of other products and services Empower installs and provides access to:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- EV chargers, which can help take better advantage of your solar output
- MySunPower and Tesla solar monitoring apps, both of which let you monitor system performance and home energy consumption
The inclusion of the Powerwalls is huge, especially as net metering policies change and batteries become more valuable in the state.
Financing Options
Empower accepts cash purchases, loans and leases, so PPAs are the only option you can’t choose with this provider. These three options are the only ones we generally recommend. Paying in cash is the most beneficial for you over time, loans are slightly less beneficial but are more accessible and leases save you the least but are affordable enough for most residents.
Warranty Information
Empower covers all of its installations with a 25-year warranty for the equipment, panel production and workmanship. The efficiency warranty and the workmanship warranty are both above average, and the latter is especially useful in NY to protect your system and home from the above-average rainfall and severe weather.
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Outstanding Local Installer
Facts and Figures: EmPower Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| Not Rated |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Panels, EV Chargers |
SUNation Solar Systems
Solar Veteran
Local Service
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
SUNation is a local installer that offers outstanding customer service and localized expertise. It also offers more services than most providers and is one of the best options if you’re looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency and not just install solar panels.
SUNation’s workmanship warranty could be longer, and its service area is quite small.
Why We Chose SUNation as the Best for Service Offerings
SUNation installs quite a few brands of solar panels, and it also provides access to solar batteries and EV chargers, making it an all-inclusive solar provider. It’s also one of the few installers that couples solar services with roof replacement and repair and electrical services, making it a great option for homeowners looking for additional work.
SUNation has been serving Long Island and New York City for two decades, so it has tons of local experience. Its representatives are familiar with local building codes and incentives from Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSEG). Its reps can help you take advantage of local incentives that can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.
SUNation also offers great customer service as a small company. It has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), positive ratings on sites like Google Reviews and has been voted the Best Solar Business of Long Island for 13 years straight.
What We Don’t Like
SUNation only services Long Island and Manhattan, so a good portion of New York just won’t have access to the provider. This is unfortunate, but it’s a downside shared by many smaller providers that use their small size to offer unparalleled customer service.
Additionally, SUNation’s workmanship warranty only lasts for five years, which, in our opinion, is a more significant downside. The average labor warranty lasts for twice that length and is better suited to keep your system safe from the weather in New York. SUNation’s labor coverage especially pales in comparison to the 25 years you’d get from companies like SunPower or ADT Solar.
Solar Products
SUNation installs panels from a few tier-one panel brands, including Solaria, Panasonic and REC. Of these three, Panasonic boasts the highest efficiency rating — 22.2% — and will be the most likely to offset those high energy bills in New York. If you’re looking to keep costs down, though, we’d recommend Solaria, as these are the cheapest of the three.
All of these brands should be sufficient for meeting energy demands in New York and are durable enough to persist and maintain their efficiency through the state’s severe weather and above-average rainfall.
We’ll include a list of additional products and services offered by SUNation below:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- EV charging stations
- The Tesla mobile app
- Roofing replacement and repair
- Electrical contracting
Again, the inclusion of batteries here is great to see to future-proof this provider in the state as net metering policies change.
Financing Options
Much like Empower Solar, SUNation accepts cash purchases, solar loans and solar leases. Customers looking for PPAs will need to choose a different provider, but the three options offered are the only ones we tend to recommend. Overall, we strongly suggest a cash purchase if you can afford one. In the future, when batteries become all but mandatory, a lease might be the only accessible option for some homeowners.
Warranty Information
SUNation’s warranty coverage lasts for 25 years for the equipment, which is in line with the industry average, and 25 years for the performance, which is just above the average. Unfortunately, the workmanship coverage only lasts for five years, which is half the industry average and one of the biggest downsides of working with the company.
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This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Solar Veteran
Facts and Figures: SUNation Solar Systems
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| A+ |
| $$$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Maintenance & Repairs, Electrical Work |
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.
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This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Outstanding Regional Installer
Provides a mobile app for monitoringFlexible financing optionsIn-home consultations
Get Free Quote
Best Social Impact
Variety of services and support optionsOperates in 24 statesMakes charitable contributions
Get Free Quote
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?
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 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 or Tesla 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 Momentum and Kasselman Solar, but each of the other solar providers on our list does offer a good 25-year warranty.
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.
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Outstanding Regional Installer
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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%):Â 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%):Â 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.
The most reputable solar company in New York will depend heavily on your individual needs. New York may be the toughest state to answer this question in due to the wide variety of unique needs stemming from metropolitan, suburban and rural areas of the state, but any solar company on our recommended list is a good place to start.
If you have the right roof, solar in New York is typically well worth it. The state’s solar incentives alone make the switch worth it. Between the Megawatt Block incentive, federal tax credit and solar energy system equipment credit, New York homeowners can offset nearly 50% of their project costs.
One of the best ways to find a reputable solar company in New York is to compare free quotes from several top installers. By comparing quotes, or getting on-site free consultations, you can better find the best offer for your needs. Refer to our guide on finding local solar installers near you to learn more about reading and interpreting solar proposals.
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This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Comparing authorized solar partners
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
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- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn’t offer leases or PPAs
A+Best Solar Financing2014Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee