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Best 5 Solar Companies in Union, NY
The best solar company in Union is ETM Solar Works.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
The Union community is committed to protecting the environment and living greener lifestyles. That's why many people are purchasing panels from the best solar professionals for their homes. 321 homes in the area already utilize a solar photovoltaic or water heating system. Professional installers will therefore have the exact experience you need to join the solar trend with confidence. In this guide, we'll show you Union's best solar companies and offer suggestions for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your home.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Builds custom, high-efficiency solar systems suited to each home
- Extensive coverage area throughout the country
- Offers energy storage and EV charger add-ons
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 Union
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.
ETM Solar Works
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Intelligent Green Solutions (IGS)
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
SunMaxx Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Renovus Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Electric City Solar Co
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
We evaluated a multitude of Union solar installers, using the following criteria to determine the best:
- Customer feedback and reviews: Most Union solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.
- Experience and professional licensure: Each provider 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 Union community for a decade or longer.
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and optimize its performance.
- Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
Facts about Union
- Average Max Temperature:54°F
- Solar Payback Period:21 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:49%
- Homes Powered by Solar:321
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$826
- Solar Power per Capita:54.3%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides multiple advantages. Here are some highlights.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, lowering your monthly electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
- Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home powered through emergencies and blackouts, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery backup.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using solar is a surefire way to lower your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Union Homeowners?
New York homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for special financing, reimbursements, rebates and tax credits. Here are just a few of the area'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 Union
The cost and efficacy of solar panels often depend on the provider that mounted them. Make your choice based on the following key factors.
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), among the solar sector's most reputed trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Union
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.
Additional accessories, 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 includes these additional features, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's crucial for you.
If you're a resident of Union and are looking into a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $18,250 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,204.64 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $939.62 |
| Thin-Film | $549.32 |
| Solar Battery | $770.97 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,891.14 |
Financing Solar Energy in Union
There are various ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include loans, leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and cash payments. We advise paying with cash or using a solar loan for the best 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 have full ownership of 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 installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) allows you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We recommend working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and get more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your spending limits.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Union.
You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities may have their own rebates and financing plans that could reduce your total cost even more.
| 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 Union
Most Union homeowners spend about $826 on energy each year. Your costs could drop by $620.04 for each kilowatt you generate after you pay off a solar array.
Yes, solar energy is gaining popularity in Union. Some homes already use solar power on-site or through utility grids, and they're backed by a state solar economy with 10740 jobs and counting.
Yes, new solar systems lead to 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, nothing substitutes for a comprehensive quote from a local solar installer. 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 properly. All you'll need to do is inspect and clean the panels every six months or as necessary in dusty seasons. Solar companies frequently offer maintenance packages to assist in your system's care.
A typical Union solar home has a 4.6-kW panel array, but you might need a smaller system if your energy needs are higher. Solar professionals will evaluate your property's energy consumption and roof shading to recommend the proper system for you.
It's smart to obtain at least three different estimates before committing to a single solar provider. This lets you evaluate warranty options, product quality, customer feedback, and pricing. It also lets you assess an installer's knowledge, reliability and responsiveness, all of which are positive signs.
Sources
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