Whether you’re remodeling a home near Buffalo or creating an off-grid cabin near Syracuse, New York state offers plenty of sunshine and incentives for transitioning to solar power. Selecting a provider can be more daunting; according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), there are more than 600 solar companies in the Empire State.
The This Old House Home Reviews Team has rigorously researched the top professional solar companies in New York to help you decide. This guide covers the top six providers’ warranties, costs, and solar panel offerings.
Compare Solar Companies Across NY
Star Rating | Best For | Location Presence | BBB Rating | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SunPower | ![]() |
4.8/5
| Best High-Efficiency System | 50 States | A+ | Get Quote |
Momentum | ![]() |
4.4/5
| Best Solar Panel Installation | 12 States | A+ | Get Quote |
Palmetto | ![]() |
4.4/5
| Best Customer Support | 17 States | A+ | Get Quote |
Tesla Solar | ![]() |
4/5
| Best Solar Tech | 50 States | NR | Get Quote |
SunPower | |
---|---|
Logo |
![]() |
Star Rating |
4.8/5
|
Best For | Best High-Efficiency System |
Location Presence | 50 States |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Momentum | |
---|---|
Logo |
![]() |
Star Rating |
4.4/5
|
Best For | Best Solar Panel Installation |
Location Presence | 12 States |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Palmetto | |
---|---|
Logo |
![]() |
Star Rating |
4.4/5
|
Best For | Best Customer Support |
Location Presence | 17 States |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Tesla Solar | |
---|---|
Logo |
![]() |
Star Rating |
4/5
|
Best For | Best Solar Tech |
Location Presence | 50 States |
BBB Rating | NR |
New York’s Top Solar Energy Companies:
- SunPower: Best High-Efficiency System
- Venture Solar: Best for Pest Protection
- Palmetto Solar: Best Customer Support
- Momentum Solar: Best Solar Panel Installation
- Solanta Solar: Best for New Yorkers
Our Top Solar Company Picks for New York
- Why We Picked It: SunPower offers some of the most efficient solar panels, with rates ranging from 20%–30%. These panels are produced by Maxeon, formerly a subsidiary of SunPower, and are designed to work with each component of SunPower’s solar system.
SunPower offers four Maxeon panel options, its own battery storage system, and Wallbox electric vehicle (EV) chargers. SunPower is more expensive than other providers, but this is because its products are so high-quality.
SunPower backs its solar offerings with a robust 25-year warranty. This covers all solar system elements, including storage, charging add-ons, and required maintenance.
Learn more: SunPower Solar review
- Why We Picked It: Venture Solar installs perfectly symmetrical solar systems with no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design offers a simple, stylish look tailored to the appearance of your roof.
Venture Solar’s in-house team helps with every step of the solar installation process, from a free consultation to design and permitting. Installations are typically completed in one day.
After your system has been inspected and activated, you can track your system’s performance and savings through Venture Solar’s in-home monitoring system. The company also installs critter guards on its solar panels for pest control.
Learn more: Venture Solar review
- Why We Picked It: Palmetto Solar provides ample customer support and protection for its solar energy solutions. It offers phone, email, and online support alongside a unique Peace of Mind Protection Plan. This add-on plan includes system monitoring, ongoing discounts, and other additional perks. It’s available to customers and non-customers alike.
Palmetto Solar’s Peace of Mind Protection Plan provides additional support and benefits following installation. The plan, also available to non-customers, includes 24/7 active monitoring and discounts on services such as solar panel cleaning and pest abatement.
Palmetto offers a full-service solar installation process, including permitting and inspections. Palmetto also provides an online tool that calculates your projected electric bill savings.
Learn more: Palmetto Solar review
- Why We Picked It: Momentum Solar is ideal for anyone who feels intimidated by the solar process. The company uses a concierge service model that handles permitting paperwork and helps customers enroll in government savings and net-metering programs.
Momentum Solar handles every step of the solar installation process in-house, from pricing and financing to system design and installation. The company also partners with various high-quality solar panel manufacturers to create custom solar systems.
Momentum has an interactive mobile tracking app that provides routine updates about the installation process and lets you set spending goals. The company frequently updates its blog with educational information.
Learn more: Momentum Solar review
- Why We Picked It: Solanta Solar is exclusive to New York state, offering in-depth knowledge about local tax incentives and other location-specific details.
Solanta Solar only operates in New York. Its representatives can advise you about reputable net-metering programs and state tax incentives in addition to handling permitting and inspections.
Solanta Solar provides several unique additional services, such as integrating solar panels for your home with home security systems and roof remodeling projects.
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Solar Incentives in New York
New York offers plenty of solar incentives for homeowners transitioning to clean energy. We’ve listed some of the most popular New York solar incentives below.
- The NY-Sun Initiative: The NY-Sun Initiative offers increased rebates for households earning less than 80% of the median income in their area. The program requires minor, low-cost energy efficiency upgrades to your home.
- The Megawatt Block Incentive Structure: This incentive provides up to $1,000 for every kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed.
- New York State Solar Equipment Tax Credit: This is a 25% state tax credit for home solar systems purchased in New York. The credit maxes out at a $5,000 reduction on state taxes.
- Solar Electric Generating System Tax Abatement (SEGS): SEGS offers a property tax exemption on the added home value from solar panels and solar storage systems. This is a four-year tax reduction of 5% of eligible expenditures. The maximum reduction is $62,500 per year for four years or the building’s annual tax liability, whichever is less.
New York homeowners can also take advantage of the federal solar tax credit. This federal tax credit equals 30% of your solar installation costs. You must install your solar system between 2022 and 2032 to qualify. The rate will decrease to 26% in 2033. If you owe less taxes than the credit, the unused credit will roll over to the next year.
Our Conclusion
Momentum Solar is not only one of the best solar providers in New York but also in the United States. The company offers an expansive customer support team and works with various solar panel manufacturers to create custom solar systems.
SunPower is an excellent option for those interested in maximizing their system’s efficiency. We recommend Solanta Solar if you want a company with extensive knowledge about New York’s local laws and incentives.
Get quotes from at least three providers to accurately compare solar panel costs and offerings. Use our tool below to get matched to top solar providers in New York.
Other New YorkHome Service Resources
FAQs About Solar Companies in New York
Yes, solar panels are worth it in upstate New York. The New York countryside receives more than 2,500 hours of sunlight annually, and the state has plenty of tax incentives.
Solar panels last approximately 25–30 years, depending on how well you maintain your system.
The best way to pay for solar panels is through an up-front, lump-sum payment. This allows you to avoid paying interest rates and take advantage of cost-saving solar incentives.
The next best option is a solar loan. This grants you ownership of the system through monthly payments and qualifies you for tax incentives.
The other financing options are a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). With a lease, you pay a fixed monthly rate to use a solar panel system without committing to owning it. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your solar panel system generates, similar to an electricity bill. Both of these options disqualify you from tax incentives, so while they minimize up-front costs, they ultimately don’t save you money.
Yes, New York has net-metering programs. Grid-connected renewable energy systems are eligible for additional incentives through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), such as a 25% state solar tax credit that maxes out at $5,000.
How many solar panels you need depends on how much energy you consume monthly. Most homeowners purchase around 20 solar panels. Look at your total energy consumption on your utility bills from the last 12 months to get a rough idea of how much power you’ll need your solar panels to generate. This will help you determine how many panels your home requires.
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.