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Best 5 Solar Companies in Clay, NY
The best solar company in Clay is PTM SOLAR INC..
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
With Clay's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses aiming to harness the added sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar installers. Local homeowners might choose solar to break free of high power costs from sources like natural gas. A skilled team can help you install and tune a system that fits your energy needs without costing a fortune. In this article, we'll highlight Clay's best solar installers and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your home.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Builds custom, high-efficiency solar systems suited to each home
- Extensive coverage area throughout the country
- Offers energy storage and EV charger add-ons
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Provides system monitoring
- Offers diverse financing options for various budgets
- Provides EV and solar battery solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Offers 7 panel brand options
- 25-year workmanship warranty
- Offers battery options
5 Best Solar Companies in Clay
Brands are algorithmically curated from a database of local service providers near you. We require a minimum number of Google reviews and average ratings for provider inclusion.
PTM SOLAR INC.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Allstate Roofing & More LLC
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Nickels Energy Solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Alternative Power Solutions of NY, LLC
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Green Visions Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team has thoroughly vetted dozens of solar companies near Clay, keeping in mind the following criteria:
- Professional licenses and credentials: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Clay community for a decade or longer.
- Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies keep up with new technology, offering equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar installers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
- Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and maximize its performance.
- Customer feedback and reviews: Most Clay solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
Facts about Clay
- Average Max Temperature:54°F
- Solar Payback Period:18 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:49%
- Homes Powered by Solar:363
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$895
- Solar Power per Capita:54.9%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is one of the universe's most abundant clean energy sources, meaning you can minimize or conquer your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.
- Smaller power bills: Sourcing some or all of your own power will spend less on electricity long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that make it possible for you to sell your surplus energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
- Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have dependable energy during grid outages and storms.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Clay Homeowners?
Governments and power companies often incentivize homeowners for going solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.
Incentive Type:PACE Financing
Website:https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/all-programs/programs/commercial-property-assessed-clean-energy
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
Incentive Type:Personal Tax Credit
Website:http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/credits/solar_energy_system_equipment_credit.htm
Incentive 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:http://ny-sun.ny.gov/Get-Solar/NY-Sun-Financing.aspx
Incentive 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:https://www.tax.ny.gov/pubs_and_bulls/publications/sales/st_pubs_and_bulls_by_number.htm
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption from state sales tax
Incentive Type:Property Tax Incentive
Website:https://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/assess/manuals/vol4/pt2/sec4_06/sec470.htm
Incentive Amount:
Upon local adoption, 20% - 100% of real property taxes owed; varies by year and certification level
Incentive Type:Property Tax Incentive
Website:http://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/assess/manuals/vol4/pt1/sec4_01/sec487_a.htm
Incentive Amount:
100% of the value added to the residence by the improvements
Incentive Type:Property Tax Incentive
Website:http://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/assess/manuals/vol4/pt1/sec4_01/sec487.htm
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption for 15 years (unless local jurisdiction has opted out)
Incentive Type:Rebate Program
Website:http://ny-sun.ny.gov/
Incentive 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:https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Ground-Source-Heat-Pump-Rebate
Incentive Amount:
Small Systems (≤ 10 cooling tons): $1,500/cooling ton
Large Systems (> 10 cooling tons): $1,200/cooling ton
Incentive Type:Other Incentive
Website:http://greenbank.ny.gov/
Incentive Type:Personal Tax Credit
Incentive Amount:
$0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel
Incentive Type:Rebate Program
Incentive 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
Incentive 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:https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/ev-appliance-solar-tax-credit-calculator
Incentive 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 Clay
The cost and effectiveness of solar panels often rely on the solar company that installed them. Consider all of these criteria in your business search.
Licensing and Training
New York regulators do not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your county or city government for its specific regulations and requirements. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar sector's most reputed trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Clay
Your solar panels' style will influence how much energy you can produce. 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.
You can also add electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can improve your solar system's efficiency. Not all solar providers provide these add-ons, so look for a provider that sells them if it's crucial for you.
Generally speaking, it costs about $18,250 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Clay. This table displays more specific pricing information for different solar panel types and system components in your area.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,202.86 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $938.23 |
| Thin-Film | $548.50 |
| Solar Battery | $769.83 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,886.86 |
Financing Solar Energy in Clay
Solar contractors offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar loans, cash payments, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. 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 allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in specific circumstances. Ask each company you're vetting about the payment plans it offers. A team member can help you determine the best option for your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Clay.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Further 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Solar in Clay
On average, Clay homeowners shell out around $895 per year on power bills. Once you pay off your solar array, you could save $698.01 for every kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Clay. A growing number of area homes generate or access solar power on-site or through utility grids, and New York has about 10740 jobs forming its solar economy.
Yes, solar panels will increase your property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), for every dollar you save on energy bills, your home value rises by $20. So, if your panels save you $600 per year on energy costs, your property could appreciate $12,000.
Even with Clay's above-average tree cover, you could still use solar energy. Your provider will enhance your system's performance by choosing the proper site for panels, installing a battery backup system, cleaning them regularly, and positioning them to capture the most sunlight throughout the year. This way, you can store solar power and utilize it as necessary.
One common way to find your home's solar viability is by using PVWatts. This free, powerful tool considers panel efficiency, local weather and topography, system size, and tree cover to determine how much power your array could generate. However, it's not a substitute for consulting with a solar energy professional, who can build a full estimate with the most updated data.
The average payback period for a solar loan in Clay is 18.3 years. By paying off extra principal each month, you can shorten the payback period and own your system faster.
To enhance your solar system's performance, you can implement the following steps:
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer
- regularly clean your solar panels
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels
- use energy-efficient appliances
Choosing a lease means your solar installer will handle panel maintenance while you make fixed monthly payments. PPAs differ slightly because you pay for just the electricity you produce.
You don't own the panels with either option, though you can choose to "buy out" of the contract for a fee.
Sources
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