15 Best Solar Companies in Athens, NY (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Athens based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Athens, NY
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Athens homeowner saves $1,443/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Athens
Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which company would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to pick a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. One of the advantages of residing in Athens is you have access to plenty of the best solar panels and services in the U.S.
There are so many installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Athens.We recommend shopping around to get multiple quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To get free, no-obligation quotes from vetted solar panel companies in Athens, click the link below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Athens
SunPower by New York State Solar Farm
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Commercial Panels
- Cleaning
SunRun Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Battery Storage
SunCommon
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Commercial Panels
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Residential Panels
Solar Generation
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Maintenance
- Community Solar Projects
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
Kasselman Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
AEC Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Commercial Panels
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
Lighthouse Solar - NY
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Skilled Repairs
Seed Solar, Electric and Engineering
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
New England Solar + Green
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Maintenance
High Peaks Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Battery Storage
- Solar Carports
- Consultation
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
Grenergy Solar Store, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- EV Charger
- Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
Solar Medix
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Commercial Panels
Empire Solar Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
Valley Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Solar Carports
- Full-Service
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Commercial Panels
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
BPVS
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Athens
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Athens based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Athens
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for New York solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Athens
Even though solar panels can help save you a good amount of money on electricity bills over time, it’s important to consider the upfront costs.There are several factors you should take into consideration when determining costs and your potential savings, including:
- How much energy costs for you: If your local utility rates are high, there's a good chance you'll end up with a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Athens, you can save an average of $1,263 a month on your electricity bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $17,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, along with the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can make.
Solar is a profitable investment for most homeowners. You can make your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar incentives, all while helping protect the Earth.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
To see how much you can impact the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Athens, NY.
{{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Athens
Since solar power is better for the environment than fossil fuels, there are quite a few government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch.No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives that stack with the ITC too. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Athens
There are many reasons to make the switch to solar power, like saving some money on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.Something many people might be wondering about is how much can they really help preserve the environment by going solar anyway? Something that can severely shape your carbon footprint is how long your commute is and how much you drive generally. If you install solar panels and drive an electric car, you can vastly cut back on your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.In Athens, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 20 pounds a year once they go solar. As you can see, using solar power has so many other benefits apart from saving money. One of the most important ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Athens, NY Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Athens?
The best local solar company in Athens is SunPower by New York State Solar Farm, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are some of the major pros and cons of going solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your electricity bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a good investment for many homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.