Best 5 Solar Companies in Albany, NY

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Albany

The purchase price and performance of solar panels often rely on the solar company that mounted them. Make your choice based on the following key factors.

Licensing and Training

New York state does not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your city or county government for its specific regulations and requirements. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private credentials. Two of the most recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, awarded by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Albany

Your photovoltaic panels' style will affect how much power you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

If you'd like to charge an electric car or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more productive and user-friendly. Not all solar contractors offer these additional features, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's essential for you.

Most Albany homeowners select solar systems sized for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $18,250 to install, considering both materials and labor. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Albany

There are many ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, cash payments, and loans. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most economical choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for valuable solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for providers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your wallet.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Albany.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Local governments and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, rebates, and incentives that could save you more money.