Best 3 Solar Companies in Lancaster, NY

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Lancaster

The purchase price and effectiveness of solar panels often rely on the solar company that mounted them. Consider each of these criteria in your company search.

Licensing and Training

The New York state government does not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your city or county 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), among the solar sector's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Lancaster

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.

If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more effective and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors include these additional features, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's essential for you.

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

Financing Solar Energy in Lancaster

There are numerous ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, cash payments, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). We suggest paying with cash or securing a solar loan for the highest return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to reduce your total costs. Solar loans are another good option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Ask each business you're evaluating about the payment options it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the best option for your pocketbook.

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

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