The 7 Best Solar Companies in New York of 2023

Sunshine may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New York, but the state has plenty of it. Despite the towering high-rises of New York City and the dense forests near Syracuse, New York receives more than 2,500 hours of sunlight annually. That's a lot of solar power that you can convert into renewable energy with a solar photovoltaic (PV) system.

We at the Guides Home Team researched and ranked the best solar companies in New York for those interested in transitioning to solar power in the state. This guide will cover the services, costs, pros, cons and other essential details of solar energy you need to know.

These are the best solar companies in New York, based on our extensive research:

SunPower is one of the preeminent leaders in the solar industry. Since its founding in 1985, the company has expanded to offer a diverse portfolio of solar panels and products. Through its partnership with Maxeon, SunPower produces solar panels with one of the highest efficiency rates on the market at up to 30%. All aspects of its solar systems are designed to work together.

SunPower offers full purchases, solar loans and solar leases.

For New York homeowners interested in leasing their solar power system, Sunrun offers two comprehensive options: a monthly payment similar to other solar panel companies, and a prepaid lease good for 25 years of service. The prepaid option comes with free monitoring and maintenance. This is an affordable way to generate renewable energy while getting more perks than other solar leasing options.

Sunrun also offers a service package that includes an additional bumper-to-bumper system warranty. This warranty provides active monitoring, free equipment replacement and system repairs for 10 years and a comprehensive insurance policy on your panels for damage or theft.

In addition to its two leasing options, Sunrun offers up-front payments and in-house financing.

Momentum Solar aims to make the transition to solar energy accessible and engaging. The company handles every aspect of the process in-house, from pricing and financing to design and installation. It also offers solar products from numerous panel manufacturers, giving you plenty of options for customization.

Additionally, Momentum has a smartphone app that allows you to actively monitor your system and access online resources, such as a frequently updated blog that educates customers about their solar systems. These resources ensure you get the most out of your solar panels and achieve your savings goals.

Momentum Solar intentionally limits its availability to states with net-metering programs and government rebates and tax credits, such as New York. This means Momentum can easily connect you to a net-metering program. Momentum is also familiar with the paperwork and permits required for other New York state tax incentives, so you can maximize your savings on future electric bills and tax returns.

Momentum Solar offers up-front payments, leases, loans and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). With a PPA, you simply pay for the amount of energy consumed by your solar energy system, like an electricity bill. However, you don't have ownership of the system or access to tax incentives.

Palmetto Solar offers a Unique Peace of Mind Protection Plan. For an additional $12 per month, this plan provides labor for replacing or servicing parts, guaranteed service timelines and discounts on solar panel cleaning, panel removal and reinstallation services. According to Palmetto Solar's website, the Peace of Mind plan provides $1,975 in discounts at an annual cost of $144.

The company provides further protection with its standard 25-year warranty, which covers inefficiencies in performance. Palmetto Solar also has an online tool to calculate your potential savings from solar energy. Using your address and monthly electric bill, the tool estimates how much your utility bill would be with solar power. Additionally, the company offers convenient customer service tools such as a mobile app for tracking energy usage plus 24/7 online support.

Customers can purchase Palmetto Solar panels outright, through a solar loan or by entering into a solar lease or PPA.

Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Venture Solar is our top pick for a New York solar company. It can direct you to local tax incentives and a reputable net-metering program. Net-metering is a billing system in which you receive credits from your utility company for any excess energy generated by your solar system.

Venture Solar also offers sleek, aesthetically pleasing solar panel systems. The company only uses the most efficient kind of solar panels available – monocrystalline – with attractive triple-black panels. Its Venture Roof Jacks make your system appear symmetrical with flush-cut rails and no visible wiring or mounting devices. In addition, the company adds a long-lasting critter guard to keep out debris and possible pests.

Venture Solar has three payment options for its solar energy systems. The first is a full, lump-sum purchase, which is the most cost-effective. You avoid any additional expenses from interest rates and get full ownership of your system, allowing you to take advantage of the federal solar tax credit and state incentives that reduce overall costs.

If you don't have the capital for an up-front purchase, you can opt for a solar loan. Venture Solar also offers $0 down solar leases. Both solar loans and solar leases have set monthly payments. However, a lease does not grant you ownership of the system, which means you can't take advantage of tax incentives.

Solar4America's service model is ideal for DIY (do-it-yourself) customers and those completing smaller projects. The company manufactures a wide range of solar panels and solar products, such as solar batteries and EV chargers. If you prefer professional installation, you can check with Solar4America to see if a certified contractor services your area. Otherwise, you can buy solar panels and solar kits to install yourself.

The company's solar kits are comprehensive and suited for off-grid projects, including RVs and boats. Its Solar All-In-One DIY Kit with a 100W solar panel and a 20A PWM controller starts at $200 and can easily power a small RV with 100 watts of power output.

Solar4America offers full purchases and solar loans. While this limits your payment options, a full purchase or loan ensures you’ll be able to take advantage of tax incentives.

Solanta Solar is exclusive to New York state, so it's a top pick for homeowners in the area. The company is deeply knowledgeable about the ins and outs of solar installation, local tax incentives and permitting in New York, meaning you receive in-house expertise tailored to your home's address.

Solanta Solar also offers several unique additional services. It can integrate your solar panels with smart home automation and your home security system. In addition, the company offers roofing services if you’re remodeling or reroofing your New York home.

Solanta Solar customers may purchase their solar energy system outright or opt for a solar loan or lease. Qualifying customers can receive a loan for as little as $0 down.

New York offers an excellent selection of state incentives that make going solar more affordable. Check out the table below to see which incentives you qualify for, and make sure to take advantage of the federal solar tax credit. This provides a tax credit equal to 30% of the total cost of your solar installation. The rate will reduce to 26% in 2033 and lower to 22% in 2034.

Credit Name

Scale

Description

The NY-Sun Initiative

Statewide

This public-private partnership provides various solar incentives to New Yorkers. Notably, it offers incentives through Affordable Solar, which increases the rebate amount received for households earning less than 80% of the median income in their area of the state. Affordable Solar works like any other NY-Sun incentive, except it requires minor low-cost energy efficiency upgrades to your home.

The Megawatt Block Incentive Structure

Statewide

This program from New York State's NY-Sun Initiative provides up to $1,000 for every kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed.

New York State Solar Equipment Tax Credit

Statewide

This is a 25% state solar tax credit available for home solar systems purchased in New York. The credit maxes out at a $5,000 state tax reduction.

Solar Electric Generating System Tax Abatement (SEGS)

Statewide

This statewide program provides a property tax exemption on the added home value from a solar and storage system. This exemption is a four-year tax abatement of 5% of eligible expenditures. However, the maximum abatement is $62,500 per year for four years or the building's annual tax liability, whichever is less.

Home Solar Project State Sales Tax Exemption

Statewide

This offering exempts retail sales and installations of commercial solar energy equipment from the 4% New York State sales and use tax rate as well as the 3/8% sales and use tax rate imposed in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD). Purchases are exempt from local sales and use taxes only if the jurisdiction specifically enacts the exemption.

Consolidated Edison

Utility Company

Consolidated Edison works with the NY-Sun Initiative to determine what credits or incentives its customers may receive.

PSEG Long Island's Energy Storage Rewards program

Utility Company

This program rewards homeowners with an annual payment when they supply power from their batteries to their home or grid a few times each year. PSEG calls these instances an "event." Each event lasts a few hours. Third-party "aggregators," independent from PSEG Long Island, enroll customers and manage their participation. If PSEG initiates an event, they notify the aggregators who will then notify customers.

There are various factors to consider when choosing the best solar installation company for your home. We’ve listed some of the most important things to think about when making a decision below.

The type of solar panels you use influences the efficiency and overall cost of your system. Most providers offer monocrystalline solar panels, which are costlier but have high efficiency rates between 20% and 30%. Monocrystalline panels also tend to be more stylish, with an all-black look.

Some providers offer polycrystalline or thin-film panels. These panels are less efficient than monocrystalline, but they may be more cost-effective if you need less power output or have a smaller project, such as a solar-powered shed.

Make sure your selected solar provider offers solar backup battery installation. A solar battery stores excess energy from your solar panel system during power outages and at night. If you own an electric vehicle, you may want to consider a solar installer that offers an EV charger.

It's crucial to have a sound warranty that covers your solar energy system in the event of damage or malfunction. Each company offers slightly different coverage, and they often provide multiple warranties for different aspects of the system. Overall, a warranty that passes the 20-year mark is a solid warranty for a solar panel. We’ve listed the different types of warranties that come with a solar system in detail below.

There are a lot of confusing aspects of a solar power system, as well as plenty of issues that could arise. We recommend you take some time to read through customer reviews for installers that interest you and ensure they’ll be able to help you through the process in a timely and knowledgeable manner. Also, take note of what customer support the company offers, such as online chat features or a mobile app.

New York is a prime place to invest in residential solar energy. Based on our extensive research, Sunpower is one of the best solar companies in the state. It offers some of the highest efficiency panels in the industry, a highly comprehensive warranty, and flexible design and financing options.

If you want more customer support and an education-focused approach, Momentum Solar is another great option for New Yorkers. Likewise, Solar4America is ideal if you prefer to take things into your own hands or if you’re trying to convert your RV or boat to solar energy.

There are plenty of solar installers throughout the Empire State, but availability changes depending on your ZIP code. To streamline your search, use our tool below to see which top-ranking solar companies service your address.

Though New York isn't known for its sunshine, installing a solar panel system does make sense for New Yorkers. The state has ample sunshine and plenty of tax incentives that make going solar worth it and more affordable than in other areas of the country.

No, solar panels do not ruin your roof if they’re correctly installed.

Various factors determine the cost of solar panels in New York. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the price to install an average-sized 6-kilowatt-hour (KWh) system was between $16,000 and $21,000 in 2021. You should expect the cost to install solar panels in New York to align with the national average.

It takes between six and 10 years for solar panels to pay for themselves. However, factors such as the cost of your system, the number of incentives you receive, the amount of electricity you use and the amount of energy your system generates can change this payback period.

We closely evaluated seven crucial factors according to our solar panel installation company methodology to rank the best providers in the industry. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider's score out of five stars. Here's how we assessed each company:

Alex Hawkins is an avid writer and researcher specializing in solar, pet insurance and home improvement. When he isn't surveying homeowners to understand their pain points or speaking with professionals in the industries he covers, Alex can often be found creating videos for his YouTube channel, Analysis with Alex, or attending a heavy metal show.

Dana Getz is a seasoned editor with nearly a decade of experience writing and editing content. She has a background in journalism and worked as a fact-checker for prestigious magazines such as New York and Chicago. She holds a journalism and marketing degree from Northwestern University and has worked across numerous categories within the home services space.