Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy has multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Lower utility costs: Producing some or all of your own energy will cut power costs long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that allow you to sell your surplus energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power means you're less dependent on fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gasses.
- Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home functioning through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery storage system.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Clarkstown Homeowners?
New York homeowners who choose solar could qualify for special financing, rebates, reimbursements and tax credits. Here are just a few of the local incentive programs.
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Website: nyserda.ny.govIncentive Amount:
Locally determined
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Website: tax.ny.govIncentive Amount:
25% for solar-electric (PV) and solar-thermal systems; for third-party owned systems this is in reference to the aggregate amount owed under the contract rather than the amount owed in any single year
Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Credit
Incentive Amount:
$0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Website: ny-sun.ny.govIncentive Amount:
Residential Customers: $1,500 - $25,000
Small Business and Not-for-Profit Organizations:
Participation Loans: up to $100,000 (at low interest rate)
On-Bill Recovery loans: $50,000 at 2%
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Upon local authorization, 100% exemption from local sales tax
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Website: tax.ny.govIncentive Amount:
100% exemption from state sales tax
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Website: tax.ny.govIncentive Amount:
Upon local adoption, 20% - 100% of real property taxes owed; varies by year and certification level
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Website: tax.ny.govIncentive Amount:
100% of the value added to the residence by the improvements
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Website: tax.ny.govIncentive Amount:
100% exemption for 15 years (unless local jurisdiction has opted out)
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: ny-sun.ny.govIncentive Amount:
Incentive rates step down over time as MW goals are met. Incentive rates as of 11/27/2019 are:
Residential:
Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed)
Con Edison Region: $0.30/W
Upstate Region: $0.35/W
Low-to-Moderate income customers: $0.80/W (up to 10 kW)
Small Commercial (Non-Residential):Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed)
Con Edison Region: $0.60/W
Up State Region: $0.45/W
Multifamily Affordable Housing Adder: additional $0.40/W (up to 50 kW)
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: nyserda.ny.govIncentive Amount:
Small Systems (≤ 10 cooling tons): $1,500/cooling ton
Large Systems (> 10 cooling tons): $1,200/cooling ton
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Website: nyserda.ny.govIncentive Type: Other Incentive
Website: greenbank.ny.govIncentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Website: tax.ny.govIncentive Amount:
$0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: nyserda.ny.govIncentive Amount:
Tier I: 10,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $3.50/annual kWh
Tier II: 10,000 kWh - 125,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $1.00/annual kWh
Tier III: 125,000 kWh - 1,000,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $0.30/ annual kWh
Tier IV: Greater than 1,000,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $0.15/ annual kWh
These incentives are additive.
Incentive Type: Performance-Based Incentive
Website: nyserda.ny.govIncentive Amount:
- Capacity Incentive: Varies on the construction and design of the system
- Performance Incentive: $0.025/kWh production payment for new systems for up to 10 years (estimated using a capacity factor of 75%)
- Interconnection Incentive: up to 75% of the costs exceeding $5,000
- Project Enhancement Incentives: Available for Black Start Capability, Hydrogen Sulfide reduction, design for accepting food waste and others
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Website: ecowatch.comIncentive Amount:
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Clarkstown
Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and cost-efficient solar array. Consider all of these criteria in your company search.
Licensing and Training
New York regulators do not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your city or county government for its specific requirements and regulations. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private credentials. Two of the most prestigious are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer 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 Clarkstown
Your photovoltaic panels' type will affect how much energy you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.
Additional components, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will raise your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors provide these add-ons, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's crucial for you.
If you're a resident of Clarkstown and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $18,250 for parts and installation. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,136 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $886 |
| Thin-Film | $518 |
| Solar Battery | $727 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,727 |
Financing Solar Energy in Clarkstown
Solar contractors use multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar leases, cash payments and solar loans. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a home or auto 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 let you rent your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Ask each provider you're evaluating about the financing options it offers. A team member can help you determine the optimal option for your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Clarkstown.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.
| Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 2.6 years |
| 2 kW | 5.1 years |
| 5 kW | 12.9 years |
| 10 kW | 25.7 years |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Clarkstown
How much money could I save by going solar in Clarkstown?
How prevalent is solar energy in Clarkstown?
Should I expect a property value increase after adopting solar power?
What if I live in a dark or gloomy
What can I do to estimate my home's solar viability?
What care do my solar panels need, and how often do they need it?
What are the signs I shouldn't use a particular solar company for my job?
- Pressuring you into signing a contract
- Dodging questions about training and credentials, warranties, cost and references
- Limited or no customization
- Rushing through the site assessment
- Limited customer feedback
How many estimates should I get before making a final solar company decision?
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