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Best 5 Solar Companies in Webster, NY
The best solar company in Webster is Geotherm, Inc: Geothermal & Solar Experts.
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- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
With Webster's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's a perfect area for families and businesses hoping to harness the added sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar installers. Solar installers take a uniquely educational approach, helping homeowners understand the underlying technology and tailor it to their needs. On this page, we'll highlight Webster's premier solar installers and share insightful advice for your solar journey.
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 Webster
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.
Geotherm, Inc: Geothermal & Solar Experts
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Paradise Energy Solutions
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.
Nickels Energy Solutions
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Allstate Roofing & More LLC
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
We evaluated a multitude of Webster solar installers, using the following criteria to choose the superior:
- Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
- Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and maximize its performance.
- Panel brands and quality: The premier solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
- Experience and professional licensure: 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 served the Webster community for over 15 years.
- Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Webster solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
Facts about Webster
- Average Max Temperature:55°F
- Solar Payback Period:16 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:54%
- Homes Powered by Solar:279
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$879
- Solar Power per Capita:51.2%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery storage systems function through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to rely on the grid for your safety and well-being.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, minimizing your monthly electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. 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.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Webster Homeowners?
New York's public agencies and power companies offer a variety of solar incentives to help cut your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.
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 Webster
The more informed your company investigation is, the better your solar installation will ultimately operate. Make your choice based on the following important considerations.
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. Solar installers can also pursue accreditations from trade groups and standards organizations. The most prestigious ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.
Cost of Solar Panels in Webster
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.
If you want to charge an electric car or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more efficient and user-friendly. Not every solar contractor provides these additional features, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's a priority for you.
A majority of Webster homeowners choose solar systems sized for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $18,250 to set up, considering both materials and labor. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,043.93 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $814.26 |
| Thin-Film | $476.03 |
| Solar Battery | $668.11 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,505.43 |
Financing Solar Energy in Webster
There are a plethora of ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include cash payments, leases, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments require 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 car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases let you use 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. Ask each company you're considering about the payment plans it offers. A representative can help you determine the optimal option for your pocketbook.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Webster.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new home solar systems purchased through 2032. Extra incentives may be available through city and state 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 Webster
On average, Webster homeowners shell out around $879 per year for energy. Once you repay your solar array, you could save $789.44 for every kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in Webster. A growing number of local homes already access solar power on-site or through utility grids, and New York has about 10740 jobs forming its solar economy.
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.
A solar system could still operate in dark areas. Your provider will orient your panels to capture the most sunlight possible. They might also recommend a battery backup system to keep your system working at its best.
One common way to calculate your home's solar viability is by using PVWatts. This powerful free tool considers system size, local weather and topography, panel efficiency, and tree cover to determine how much power your array could generate. However, it's not a substitute for consulting with a local solar installation company, who can create a full estimate with the most updated data.
There's no universal answer for how long a solar project might take. Ultimately, it depends on panel style, the necessary prework, the permitting and inspection process, local weather, and system size. Many homeowners can be solar-ready within two months from their initial estimate visit.
It's smart to collect three or more estimates before committing to a single solar installer. This lets you evaluate pricing, customer feedback, product quality, and warranty options. It also helps you gauge a contractor's responsiveness, reliability and knowledge, all of which are "green flags".
Sources
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