Best 5 Solar Companies in Southampton, NY

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Southampton

The more informed your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately work. Here are some important factors to bear in mind while searching for a solar specialist.

Licensing and Training

New York regulators do not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your county or city government for its specific regulations and requirements. Solar companies can also pursue certificates from trade groups and standards organizations. The most recognized ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Southampton

The style of solar panels you choose determines how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.

Additional system add-ons, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will raise your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor offers 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 Southampton. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much Southampton solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Southampton

There are many ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, cash payments, and leases. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to rent your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, akin 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. We recommend working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each agent about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through local governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.