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The 3 Best Solar Companies in New York (2024 Guide)

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Author Image Written by Tamara Jude + 1 other Reviewed by Roger Horowitz Updated 06/28/2024

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 New York

Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.4
25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
4.4
25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.6
25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.4
10–25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.2
25 years Full purchase, loan, lease GET QUOTE
No results were found.

New York’s Top Solar Energy Companies:


Our Top Solar Company Picks for New York

Freedom Solar Power

4.4

Freedom Solar Polar is a SunPower Master Dealer that provides high-efficiency solar systems. The company has 17 years of solar industry experience and partnerships with certified installers. It’s one of the few solar companies to offer grid-tied, ground-mount, carport, and off-grid solar solutions.

Nearly 7% of our survey respondents chose Freedom Solar Power for their installation.

How We Scored Freedom Solar Power

Freedom Solar scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company earned most of its points because of its comprehensive warranty coverage and reputable customer service. Its biggest drawback is its basic service selection.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (16 out of 25 points): Freedom Solar has minimal service options compared to companies such as Elevation or ADT Solar. It offers solar panel and battery installation with active monitoring, but that’s it. We do like that it provides in-house installers to do the work. 
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (22 out of 25 points): Freedom Solar received many points for its 25-year warranty, which covers panels, workmanship, and performance.
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (14 out of 15 points): The company has a highly positive online reputation, including a strong BBB rating and accreditation, positive customer reviews, and no alerts or active lawsuits. 
  • Financing Options (10.5 out of 15 points): Freedom Solar only offers cash purchases and loan options with no in-house financing. 
  • Industry Experience (9 out of 10 points): The company holds 17 years of experience in the residential solar industry.
  • State Availability (6 out of 10 points): Freedom Solar limits its service area to five states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers rooftop, ground-mount, carport, and off-grid installations Provides preconstruction consultations with its home contractors Works with SunPower to install high-efficiency solar systems Cons Called out for underperforming solar systems in customer reviews Covers a limited service area Doesn’t offer many system customizations

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Freedom Solar provides a comprehensive 25-year warranty covering product, workmanship, and panel performance. 

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

State Availability

Available in: Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

Reputation and Reviews

Freedom Solar made Inc.’s Regionals 2023: Southwest list for the fastest-growing private companies in America. Solar Power World chose the company as a Top Solar Contractor nine times.

Freedom Solar is BBB accredited and holds an A+ rating from the organization. The company has many positive reviews on its BBB profile for its consistent installation updates and well-trained staff. However, negative reviews highlight issues reaching customer service.

Momentum Best Installation Process
4.4
  • 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.
Pros and Cons
Pros Includes a 25-year warranty on parts and labor Offers seven solar panel brands for customization Partners with Enphase to offer a solar battery Cons Customer reviews mention difficulties scheduling installations Has limited pricing information online
Momentum Solar Details

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

Elevation

Best Energy-Efficient Upgrades
4.6
  • Why we chose it: Along with solar panels, Elevation provides full-home energy audits and upgrades to improve your energy efficiency and long-term savings. It is one of the few companies to complete both audits and upgrades with its own in-house staff. Elevation also sells Curb Energy monitoring equipment designed to track your home’s energy use, maximize solar panel production, and eliminate wasted energy.
  • Payment options: Full purchase, loan
  • State availability: 5 states covered

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides a full suite of home efficiency upgrades and solutions to improve an entire home’s efficiency. Offers full-home assessment for energy efficiency improvements Sells active energy monitoring for the entire home Cons Only provides coverage in five states Has issues with delayed installations and failed final activations, per some online reviews

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Elevation backs its solar systems with 25-year warranties for product and workmanship coverage.

Financing options

✔ Full purchase

✔ Loan

Reputation and Awards

Since 2015, Elevation has focused on providing a complete energy-efficiency experience for homeowners. The company received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Home Performance with Energy Star: Partner of the Year award in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Elevation was named the 2019 Innovator of the Year by the Phoenix Business Journal’s Arizona Corporate Excellence (ACE) Awards. In 2020, the company received a Silver Stevie Award in the Customer Satisfaction Strategy category at the 14th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Elevation holds accreditation with the BBB and maintains an A+ rating.

Our review analyses revealed that homeowners appreciated the efficient solar equipment and efficiency upgrades but voiced concern over failed final inspections and delays in the installation process.

States Available

Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas

Palmetto

Best Customer Support
4.4

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers a tiered protection plan for system protections Provides an online solar savings calculator to estimate potential savings Gives access to customer support via email, chat, and phone Cons Limits its active monitoring services to three years Services less than half of the country

Why We Chose Palmetto Solar

Palmetto Solar offers full-service solar installation and post-installation services. It has an online tool that calculates your projected electric bill savings with solar energy. Palmetto Solar offers a variety of customer support options through phone, email, and online chat. Customers can also schedule service appointments through the mobile app without speaking to a representative.

Its Palmetto Protect Essentials plan includes active monitoring, remote troubleshooting, and proactive communications if system issues arise. Customers receive this protection plan at no charge through the end of 2023.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Palmetto’s warranty protection includes a 25-year panel warranty, 12-year inverter warranty, 10-year workmanship warranty, and five-year roof penetration warranty.

 

Financing options

✔ Full purchase

✔ Loan

Reputation and Awards

Since its founding in 2010, Palmetto Solar has expanded its company to help homeowners and businesses convert to solar energy. The company received the Most Forward-Thinking Contractor award in the 2022 edition of Solar Power World. That same year, Inc. recognized the company with a Power Partner Award. Palmetto also aims to provide solar energy to underserved communities with its Get Solar, Give Solar program.

Palmetto Solar holds accreditation with the BBB and has an A+ rating. While reading online reviews, we noticed that homeowners praised Palmetto for its dedicated installation managers and quality systems but mentioned very long waiting periods for permitting plus installation delays.

States Available

Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia, plus Washington, D.C.

Learn More: Palmetto Solar Review

Venture Solar Best Northeast Regional Installer
4.2
  • 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.
Pros and Cons
Pros Adds a critter guard for extra protection against pests Creates clean-looking solar panel systems with its Venture Roof Jacks Includes a 25-year product warranty Cons Doesn’t include a workmanship warranty Doesn’t provide pricing information online
Venture Solar Details

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

Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.


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

Palmetto is the best solar company for New York homeowners. The company offers an expansive customer support team and highly efficient solar panels.

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 York Home Service Resources


FAQ About Solar Companies in New York

Are solar panels worth it in upstate NY?

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. 

How long do solar panels last?

Solar panels last approximately 25–30 years, depending on how well you maintain your system. 

What is the best way to pay for solar panels?

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.

Does NY have net metering?

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 do I need?

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

We are 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.