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Best 5 Solar Companies in Mount Pleasant, NY
The best solar company in Mount Pleasant is SunPower.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
The Mount Pleasant community is committed to conserving resources and embracing sustainability. That's why many homeowners are purchasing panels from the top solar companies for their homes. 274 homes in the area already employ a solar PV or water heating system. Professional installers will therefore have the exact experience you need to join the solar trend with confidence. On this page, we'll showcase Mount Pleasant's top solar providers and share expert advice for your solar journey.
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 Mount Pleasant
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.
SunPower
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Kamtech Solar Solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunPower by New York State Solar Farm
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Sunrun Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Chappaqua Solar Clean Energy Systems
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team has screened dozens of solar companies near Mount Pleasant, focusing on the following criteria:
- Certifications and credentials: Each contractor on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Mount Pleasant community for more than a decade.
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar providers 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 happiness.
- Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies keep up with new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
- Customer feedback and reviews: Most Mount Pleasant solar providers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and improve its performance.
Facts about Mount Pleasant
- Average Max Temperature:58°F
- Solar Payback Period:8 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:54%
- Homes Powered by Solar:274
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,880
- Solar Power per Capita:77.0%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy comes with multiple perks. Let's look at a few of them.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
- Lowered energy bills: You can avoid the expensive cost of grid-tied power by creating some electricity at home. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back for credits on your bill.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems can keep your home powered through blackouts and emergencies, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery backup.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Mount Pleasant Homeowners?
New York homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for tax credits, rebates, reimbursements and special financing. Here are just a few of the region's incentive programs.
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 Mount Pleasant
The more thorough your company investigation is, the better your solar system will ultimately function. Consider each of these elements in your contractor 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. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most reputed trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Mount Pleasant
Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels cost more than other options, but they generate the most power 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.
Additional accessories, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will add to your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor provides these extras, so look for a company that installs them if it's important for you.
Generally speaking, it will cost about $18,250 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Mount Pleasant. 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 | $1,206.43 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $941.01 |
| Thin-Film | $550.13 |
| Solar Battery | $772.11 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,895.43 |
Financing Solar Energy in Mount Pleasant
Solar companies offer multiple different financing options to increase your savings and lower your costs. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar leases, solar loans and cash payments. We recommend paying with cash or using 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 minimize 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 benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to rent your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay only for the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and do not provide you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Ask each business you're vetting about the payment plans it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the optimal option for your financial situation.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Mount Pleasant.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional 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 Mount Pleasant
Most Mount Pleasant homeowners spend about $1,880 on energy each year. Your costs could drop by $1,592.78 for each kilowatt you generate after you pay off a solar array.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Mount Pleasant. A growing number of local homes generate or access solar power on-site or through utility grids, and New York has about 10740 jobs making up its solar economy.
Yes, solar panels will increase your property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), for every dollar you reduce on energy bills, your home value increases by $20. So, if your panels save you $600 per year on energy costs, your property could appreciate $12,000.
Solar panels could still work in cloudy conditions. Your technician will orient your panels to absorb the most sunlight possible. They might also recommend a back-up power source to keep your system performing at its best.
Modern solar panels are designed for durability. The average unit is good for 25 years of service. Budget panels tend to have reduced longevity than higher-quality models.
There's no universal answer for how long a solar project might take. Ultimately, it depends on system size, the permitting and inspection process, panel style, the necessary prework, and local weather. Most homeowners can be solar-ready within a couple of months from their initial estimate visit.
Choosing a lease means your solar installer will handle panel maintenance while you make fixed monthly payments. PPAs differ slightly because you only pay for 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.
It's prudent to collect at least three different estimates before committing to a single solar installer. This lets you evaluate customer feedback, product quality, pricing, and warranty options. It also helps you assess an installer's responsiveness, reliability and knowledge, all of which are positive signs.
Sources
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