15 Best Solar Companies in Richmond, NY (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Richmond based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Richmond, NY
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Richmond homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Richmond
On the hunt for the best solar companies in Richmond? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because solar panels produce their own power, they can vastly bring down your electricity bill each month, if not entirely eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $13,000 of savings over 20 years.
In this article, we'll help you find the top options in your area. 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-pressure quotes from vetted solar panel companies in Richmond, click the link below.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Richmond
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Alternative Carbon Energy Systems, Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Solar & Wind FX Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Fusion Energy Services
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
SkyWolf Wind Turbines
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Crest Solar LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Geotherm, Inc: Geothermal & Solar Experts
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Greentech Renewables Rochester
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Solar Raceway
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Qwiksolar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Richmond
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Richmond 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 Richmond
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 Richmond
We understand that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar comes down to installation costs. Some key factors that determine the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. In addition, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- How much energy you use: If your home uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from switching to solar.
- The type of solar panel system you can buy: This hinges on how much you're willing to invest upfront.
- How much energy costs for you: If your local energy rates are high, there's a better chance you'll get a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In Richmond, you can save an average of $54 a month on your electricity bills.
There are several great benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your bank account. Plus, it can boost the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Richmond
Switching to solar power has plenty of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the environment, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives. No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 30% of how much your solar project cost on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives that stack with the ITC too. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Richmond
Many want to do their part to help protect the environment, which often is the primary reason they're interested in installing solar panels. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Richmond, though. The average person has a rather large carbon footprint. Between their car, which releases over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year, and powering their home, it can be overwhelming to think about what to do. Using solar power is one of the easiest things you can do to help. After you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 20 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other benefits apart from saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the planet too.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Richmond, NY Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Richmond?
The highest-rated local solar company in Richmond is Alternative Power Solutions of New York, LLC, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Making solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 14.6 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down 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.