12 Best Solar Companies in Dunkirk, NY (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Dunkirk based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Dunkirk, NY
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Dunkirk homeowner saves $1,118/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Dunkirk

If you're a home or business owner looking to take advantage of the solar incentives in Dunkirk, it can be challenging to narrow down which installer to go with. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar energy is often a great choice. Though Dunkirk may not have a reputation for sunshine like Florida, it's a surprisingly hot place for solar growth, so a lot of the best solar companies in the nation have set up shop there to help residents embrace renewable energy.

If you're thinking about going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Dunkirk and compare quotes. The good news is we did the hard work and made a list of the best solar companies for you. To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Dunkirk, click the "get quote" button below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
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

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

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

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Dunkirk

Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Best Regional Coverage
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

Average Cost

Momentum Solar

  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Pros icon Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Pros icon Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Con icon Slightly limited service offerings

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries

Website: https://www.momentumsolar.com/
Best for Leasing
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Sunrun

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Many financing options
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.sunrun.com/
Best Social Impact
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Palmetto Solar

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Pros icon Certified B Corp
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs
  • Con icon Quality of installation may vary by location

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
  • Service icon Maintenance & Repairs

Website: https://palmetto.com/
Solar Veteran
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Trinity Solar

  • Pros icon Many financing options
  • Pros icon Family-owned and -operated
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Con icon Limited service area
  • Con icon Relatively short workmanship warranty

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.trinity-solar.com/
Best Technology
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.2/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Best Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Arkwright Summit Wind Farm

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: https://arkwrightsummitwindfarm.co/
Address: Fredonia, NY 14063
Phone: 7166808190
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

SENECA ENERGY

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://senecaenergy.com/
Address: Irving, NY 14081
Phone: 7165329221
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Residents Energy LLC

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.residentsenergy.com/
Address: Jamestown, NY 14701
Phone: 315NMainSt
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Tess/Soleil

  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://solar.page/teri-allen
Address: Jamestown, NY 14701
Phone: 7164901410
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

New Wave Energy

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Recognized Excellence
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://newwaveenergy.com/
Address: Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: 8559989283
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Cleve Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://clevesolarsolutions.godaddysites.com/
Address: Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: 7162966636

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Dunkirk

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Dunkirk 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 Dunkirk


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 Dunkirk

The cost of installing solar panels has decreased greatly over the past several years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. A few main factors that influence the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:

  • How much electricity your household consumes: Households that consume plenty of electricity each month may require more solar panels and, therefore, be more costly, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
  • Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you want 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 space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • Your energy bills: This will affect your savings. In Dunkirk, the average homeowner can save about $650 a year on their electricity bills.
  • Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your utility bills, which can lead to an average of $13,000 of savings over 20 years.

There are many wonderful benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your wallet. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.

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Solar Incentives in Dunkirk

To increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make solar more affordable and accessible. Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 30% of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives you can benefit from too. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Dunkirk.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Dunkirk

If you're thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions. But you may be curious — how much exactly can you help the environment by using solar power? The amount of energy you use is a key factor to think about. The more electricity your household consumes, the bigger your impact when you switch to solar energy. Though making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Dunkirk, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 20 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar energy is plentiful and generates electricity without releasing carbon emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
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

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5

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

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Dunkirk, NY Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in Dunkirk?

In Dunkirk, Solar By CIR Buffalo is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.

What are the major advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?

The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, completely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 14.8 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.

When should I put up solar panels?

Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the perfect time is actually winter. You can save money since there's decreased demand during the winter months, and it allows you to be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.

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.