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Best 5 Solar Companies in Long Beach, NY
The best solar company in Long Beach is Kamtech Solar Solutions.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
Long Beach homeowners are purposeful about conserving resources and practicing eco-friendly lifestyles. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the best solar professionals for their homes. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,200 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installation team can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Long Beach's best solar companies and learn essential decision-making strategies on this page.
5 Best Solar Companies in Long Beach
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.
Kamtech Solar Solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Sunrun Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Atlantic Beach Solar Clean Energy Systems
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Lynbrook Solar Clean Energy Solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team focuses on the following criteria to determine the best Long Beach solar companies.
- Professional licensure and experience: Each installer 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 Long Beach community for more than a decade.
- Customer feedback and reviews: Most Long Beach solar installers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
- Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and improve its performance.
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
- Panel brands and quality: The premier solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
Facts about Long Beach
- Average Max Temperature:59°F
- Solar Payback Period:11 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:59%
- Homes Powered by Solar:205
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,525
- Solar Power per Capita:87.2%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple benefits. Here are some highlights.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
- Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with battery storage systems work through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the electrical grid for your safety and well-being.
- Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you create power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Long Beach Homeowners?
New York homeowners who go solar could qualify for tax credits, reimbursements, special financing and rebates. Here are just a few of the region'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.psegliny.com/saveenergyandmoney/energystarrebates
Incentive Amount:
Appliances
Advanced Power Strips: $10 - $20
Air Purifier: $25 - $50
Clothes Dryer: $50 - $250
Clothes Washer: $50
Dehumidifier: $30
Dishwasher: $50
Exhaust Fan: $20 - $25
Electric Freezer: $30
Heat Pump Water Heater: $650
Pool Pumps: $150 - $350
Refrigerator: $50
Refrigerator Recycling: $50
Lighting
Instant Rebates Vary by Product
Bulk Light Purchases: Up to $2 - $3/unit
Cooling & Heating
Central Air Conditioning: $450
Smart Thermostat: $85
Ground Source Heat Pump: $2,000/ton
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: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 Long Beach
The price and effectiveness of solar panels often depend on the provider that installed them. Here are some important factors to keep in mind while searching for a solar specialist.
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 requirements and regulations. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most credible trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Long Beach
Your photovoltaic panels' type will impact how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.
If you want to charge an electric car or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar providers offer these additional features, so look for a provider that sells them if it's crucial for you.
You can expect to pay about $18,250 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Long Beach. Check the table in this section to get an idea of the amount Long Beach solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
---|---|
Solar Monocrystalline | $1,238.57 |
Solar Polycrystalline | $966.09 |
Thin-Film | $564.79 |
Solar Battery | $792.69 |
Solar Home EV Charger | $2,972.57 |
Financing Solar Energy in Long Beach
Choosing the right financing solution will affect your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include cash payments, leases, power purchase agreements, and loans. We recommend making a cash payment 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 installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. 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 won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in particular circumstances. Look for providers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your wallet.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Long Beach.
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, financing programs, and incentives that could save you more money.
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 Long Beach
Most Long Beach homeowners spend about $1,525 on energy each year. Your costs could drop by $1,162.61 for each kilowatt you generate after you pay off a solar array.
Yes, solar energy is on the rise in Long Beach. Some homes already benefit from solar power on-site or through utility grids, and they're supported by a state solar economy with 10740 jobs and counting.
Yes, new solar systems mean 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.
Solar panels could still operate in cloudy conditions. Your provider will orient your panels to absorb the most sunlight possible. They might also recommend a backup battery to keep your system working at its best.
Modern solar panels are designed for durability. The average model provides 25 years of reliable power. Cheaper panels tend to have shorter lifespans than premium models.
There's no universal answer for how long a solar project might take. Ultimately, it depends on panel style, the necessary prework, local weather, the permitting and inspection process, and system size. Many homeowners can be solar-ready within a few months from their initial estimate visit.
Even the most esteemed Long Beach solar providers will have both favorable and critical reviews. To make the most informed choice possible, focus on these indicators to know if a company isn't worth your investment:
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Being evasive about cost, references, warranties and training and credentials
- Limited or no customization
- Rushing through the site assessment
- No references or testimonials
The main differences between a PPA and traditional financing are that you pay a fluctuating monthly rate based on your energy usage and don't own your system. Your service provider installs and maintains the panels, and you pay for the generated electricity for 10–25 years. Afterward, you can extend the agreement or buy the system.
You might consider a PPA if you don’t want to be responsible for maintaining your panels and don’t want to invest in a system, but keep in mind you won’t be paying toward ownership or be able to access any solar financial incentives. Many solar experts don’t recommend PPAs. Our guide covers other financing options above.
Sources
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