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Best 3 Solar Companies in Irondequoit, NY
The best solar company in Irondequoit is Geotherm, Inc: Geothermal & Solar Experts.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
Irondequoit residents are committed to conserving resources and living greener lifestyles. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the top solar professionals for their homes. Local homeowners might go for solar to break free of high power costs from sources like natural gas. A skilled team can help you install and optimize a system that meets your energy needs without being too expensive. On this page, we'll highlight Irondequoit's leading solar companies and offer insightful advice for your solar journey.
3 Best Solar Companies in Irondequoit
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.
Geotherm, Inc: Geothermal & Solar Experts
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Paradise Energy Solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Go Solar WNY
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
We analyzed a multitude of Irondequoit solar providers, using the following criteria to choose the best:
- Customer feedback and reviews: Most Irondequoit solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
- Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should utilize their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and maximize its performance.
- Experience and professional licensure: Each company on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Irondequoit community for over 15 years.
Facts about Irondequoit
- Average Max Temperature:55°F
- Solar Payback Period:15 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:54%
- Homes Powered by Solar:309
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$906
- Solar Power per Capita:54.5%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy comes with multiple advantages. Let's look at a few of them.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
- Lower energy bills: Sourcing some or all of your own energy will spend less on electricity long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that allow you to sell your extra energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
- Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home running through emergencies and blackouts, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Irondequoit Homeowners?
New York homeowners who go solar could qualify for tax credits, reimbursements, special financing and rebates. Here are just a few of the area's incentive offerings.
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 Irondequoit
The more informed your company research is, the better your solar system will ultimately work. Consider each of these criteria in your service provider 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 certifications. Two of the most prestigious are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed 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 Irondequoit
Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.
You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can maximize your solar system's performance. Not all solar contractors include these optional components, so look for a company that installs them if it's a priority for you.
If you're a resident of Irondequoit and are looking into a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $18,250 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.
Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
---|---|
Solar Monocrystalline | $1,176.79 |
Solar Polycrystalline | $917.89 |
Thin-Film | $536.61 |
Solar Battery | $753.14 |
Solar Home EV Charger | $2,824.29 |
Financing Solar Energy in Irondequoit
Choosing the right financing option will affect your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, loans, cash payments, and leases. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they save you from paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Much like a home or car loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to rent your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, much like 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. We recommend 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 Irondequoit.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through local 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 Irondequoit
On average, Irondequoit homeowners pay around $906 per year on energy bills. Once you pay off your solar array, you could save $829.19 for every kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is on the rise in Irondequoit. Some homes already generate solar power on-site or through utility grids, and they're fortified by a state solar economy with 10740 job opportunities and counting.
Yes, new solar systems lead to higher property values according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL.) Homeowners could project a $20 property value increase for each dollar they save on energy. Therefore, $600 in energy savings could boost your property value by $12,000.
Even if your property has high tree cover, you could still use solar energy. Your provider will enhance your system's performance by choosing the proper site for panels, cleaning them regularly, positioning them to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, and installing a battery backup system. This way, you can store solar power and use it as necessary.
One common way to find your home's solar viability is by using PVWatts. This free, powerful tool considers tree cover, local weather and topography, panel efficiency, and system size to determine how much energy your array could generate. However, it's not a substitute for consulting with a solar expert, who can build a full estimate with the most updated data.
Your solar job's duration will depend on its size and complexity, as well as Irondequoit's permit and inspection procedures. It could take several weeks to a few months on average.
Most states and utilities administrate net metering programs, and some mandate homeowners to join. Once you register, you can receive a bill credit or check for any surplus electricity you generate and send to the grid. Generally, power companies compensate solar homeowners at a wholesale or "avoided-cost" rate.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a contract between you and your provider. They install, own, and maintain the panels, and you purchase the generated electricity from them for 10–25 years. There will usually be options to extend the agreement and buy out early to own your system.
In contrast, solar loans can come from local banks, the government, installer and specialty lenders. You'll need to pass a credit check to qualify for most of them. While the upfront costs are greater, and you'll be responsible for taking care of the system, you'll also have total ownership and can apply for many more benefits.
Sources
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