Best 5 Solar Companies in Colonie, NY

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Colonie

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and cost-efficient solar system. Here are some essential aspects to keep in mind while shopping for a solar installer.

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 a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar industry's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Colonie

Your photovoltaic panels' style will affect how much electricity you can produce. 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 system add-ons, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar providers offer these extras, so look for a company that installs them if it's a priority for you.

You can expect to pay about $18,250 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Colonie. Use the table in this section to get an idea of how much Colonie solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Colonie

There are a plethora of ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases, and loans. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a car loan or mortgage, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in specific circumstances. We suggest working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your financial plan.

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

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