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Best 5 Solar Companies in Riverhead, NY
The best solar company in Riverhead is SunPower.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
With Riverhead's clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for families and businesses aiming to harness the extra sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar installers. 205 homes in the area already utilize a solar photovoltaic or water heating system. Certified installers will therefore have the precise experience you need to join the solar trend with confidence. On this page, we'll show you Riverhead's top solar companies and provide valuable 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 Riverhead
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.
Based on 87 reviews
Kamtech Solar Solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Based on 64 reviews
Element Energy Systems (E2SYS)
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Based on 69 reviews
GreenLogic Energy
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Based on 61 reviews
GreenLeaf Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Based on 20 reviews
Ranking Methodology
Our team focuses on the following criteria to determine the best Riverhead solar companies.
- Panel brands and quality: The premier solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
- Professional licenses and credentials: Each provider 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 Riverhead community for over 15 years.
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and improve its performance.
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
- Customer reviews and feedback: Most Riverhead solar installers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
Facts about Riverhead
- Average Max Temperature:55°F
- Solar Payback Period:11 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:58%
- Homes Powered by Solar:205
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,525
- Solar Power per Capita:86.0%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple advantages. Here are some highlights.
- Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during grid outages and storms.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using solar is a surefire way to decrease your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
- Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you create power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. 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 Riverhead Homeowners?
New York homeowners who upgrade to solar could qualify for reimbursements, rebates, tax credits and special financing. 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:Green Building Incentive
Website:http://www.townofriverheadny.gov/pView.aspx?id=2472&catid=118
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 Riverhead
The cost and efficiency of solar panels often rely on the provider that installed them. Make your choice based on the following crucial aspects.
Licensing and Training
New York state does not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your county or city government for its specific requirements and regulations. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among 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 Riverhead
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 boost your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar company provides these additional features, so look for a company that sells them if it's essential for you.
You can plan to spend about $18,250 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Riverhead. Use the table in this section to get an idea of the amount Riverhead solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,180.00 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $920.40 |
| Thin-Film | $538.08 |
| Solar Battery | $755.20 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,832.00 |
Financing Solar Energy in Riverhead
Choosing the correct financing solution will influence your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, cash payments, leases, and loans. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid 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. Similar to a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) enables you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Ask each provider you're considering about the payment plans it offers. A consultant can help you determine the best option for your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Riverhead.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on your new solar panels, 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.
| 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 Riverhead
Most Riverhead homeowners spend about $1,525 on energy each year. Your costs could drop by $1,151.18 for each kilowatt you generate after you pay off a solar array.
Yes, solar energy is spreading quickly in Riverhead. Some homes already benefit from solar power on-site or through utility grids, and they're supported by a state solar economy with 10740 job opportunities and counting.
Yes, solar panels will boost 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.
To determine your home's solar readiness, there's no substitute for a comprehensive quote from a local solar company. However, you can use the PVWatts tool for a simple solar viability estimate based on public data, including tree cover, panel efficiency, local weather and topography, and system size.
Modern solar installations are designed for durability. The average panel lasts at least 25 years. Cheaper panels tend to last shorter than higher-quality models.
To protect your solar system's efficiency, inspections and cleanings every six months are usually sufficient. In dusty or dry seasons, your panels might need cleanings every one to two months. Your contractor can recommend a maintenance schedule. Its team could also do the cleaning for you.
Even the most renowned Riverhead solar installers will have both glowing and critical reviews. To make the most informed choice possible, focus on these signs to know if a company isn't worth your attention:
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Dodging questions about warranties, references, training and credentials and cost
- Inflexible options
- Not thoroughly inspecting your site
- Limited customer feedback
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a contract between you and your contractor. They set up, own, and care for the panels, and you buy 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, installer, specialty lenders and the government. 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 upkeep, you'll also have total ownership and can apply for many more benefits.
Sources
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