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Best 3 Solar Companies in Tonawanda, NY
The best solar company in Tonawanda is Solar By CIR Buffalo.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
With Tonawanda's clear skies and little rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses seeking to harness the additional sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. Local homeowners might choose solar to break free of high power costs from sources like natural gas. A skilled solar company can help you install and optimize a system that fits your energy needs without costing a fortune. On this page, we'll showcase Tonawanda's premier solar providers and offer insightful 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
3 Best Solar Companies in Tonawanda
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.
Solar By CIR Buffalo
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Go Solar WNY
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Geotherm, Inc: Geothermal & Solar Experts
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team focuses on the following criteria to determine the best Tonawanda solar companies.
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
- Professional licenses and credentials: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Tonawanda community for more than a decade.
- Panel brands and quality: The premier solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
- Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and optimize its performance.
- Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Tonawanda solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
Facts about Tonawanda
- Average Max Temperature:54°F
- Solar Payback Period:18 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:49%
- Homes Powered by Solar:438
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$909
- Solar Power per Capita:60.1%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with energy storage systems work through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the power grid for your safety and well-being.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, decreasing your periodic electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant number of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Adopting solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Tonawanda Homeowners?
Governments and utilities often reward homeowners for switching to solar. Here are some of the tax credits, rebates, or other programs you could qualify for.
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: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 Tonawanda
The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately perform. Consider each of these elements in your service provider search.
Licensing and Training
The New York state government does not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your county or city 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), one of 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 Tonawanda
The kind of solar panels you purchase determines how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but they're worth it if you want a traditional panel style without the high cost. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.
If you'd like 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 efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor provides these optional components, so look for a company that sells them if it's crucial for you.
A majority of Tonawanda homeowners choose solar systems rated for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $18,250 to set up, considering both materials and labor. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,096.43 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $855.21 |
| Thin-Film | $499.97 |
| Solar Battery | $701.71 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,631.43 |
Financing Solar Energy in Tonawanda
Choosing the ideal financing plan will affect your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include leases, cash payments, power purchase agreements, and loans. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they save you from 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. Like a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases let you rent your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Look for providers that offer two or more 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 Tonawanda.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, incentives, and rebates 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 Tonawanda
On average, Tonawanda homeowners spend around $909 per year on electric bills. Once you repay your solar array, you could reduce your costs by $708.09 per kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Tonawanda. A growing number of local homes already use solar power on-site or through utility grids, and New York has about 10740 jobs forming its solar economy.
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 increase your home's value by $12,000.
To determine your home's solar readiness, there's no substitute for a comprehensive quote from a local solar provider. However, you can use the PVWatts tool for a simple solar viability prediction based on public data, including local weather and topography, system size, panel efficiency, and tree cover.
Solar panels don't require much upkeep to keep working well. All you'll need to do is clean and inspect the panels every six months or as necessary in dusty seasons. Solar companies frequently offer maintenance packages to help you in your system's care.
A typical Tonawanda solar home has a 4.6-kW panel array, but you might need a smaller system if your energy needs are more demanding. Solar professionals will evaluate your property's power usage and roof shading to determine the right system for you.
While many online reviews are positive, even the best solar companies might have unhappy customers. You should know these early warning signs for the best chances of an exemplary job:
- Aggressive sales pitch
- Dodging questions about cost, credentials and training, references and warranties
- Inflexible options
- Rushing through the site assessment
- Limited customer feedback
Choosing a lease means your solar provider will handle panel maintenance while you make fixed monthly payments. Power Purchase Agreements differ slightly because you pay for just the electricity you produce.
You don't own the panels with either option, though you can choose to opt out of the contract for a fee.
Sources
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