5 Best Solar Companies in New York

In This Guide: Top Companies | NY Solar Incentives | Conclusion | FAQs | Methodology

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.

New York’s Top Solar Energy Companies:

• Momentum Solar: Most User-Friendly
• SunPower: Most Energy-Efficient
• Palmetto Solar: Best Customer Service
• Venture Solar: Best for Pest Protection
• Solanta Solar: Best for New Yorkers

Momentum Solar

Score: 98 out of 100

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

✔ Includes a 25-year warranty on parts and labor 

✔ Offers seven solar panel brands for customization

✔ Partners with Enphase to offer a solar battery

 ✘ 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

SunPower

Score: 82 out of 100

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.

Pros and Cons

✔ Has some of the highest efficiency rates on the market 

✔ Includes a 25-year warranty that covers the entire system and components

✔ Produces in-house components designed to work together

 ✘ Is more expensive than its competitors 

 ✘ Limits its offerings to in-house and Maxeon products

SunPower Details

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

Palmetto Solar

Score: 98 out of 100

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.

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes a 25-year output warranty

✔ Offers a protection plan to Palmetto customers and other solar owners

✔ Provides an online solar savings calculator

✘ Charges an additional fee for active monitoring

✘ Doesn’t offer leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs)

Palmetto Solar Details

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

Venture Solar

Score: 82 out of 100

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

✔ 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

✘ 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

Solanta Solar

Score: 82 out of 100

Solanta Solar is exclusive to New York state, offering in-depth knowledge about local tax incentives and other location-specific details.

Pros and Cons

✔ Has Pearl Certification, which increases your home’s value

✔ Offers services tailored to home remodeling and home security systems 

✔ Local to New York

✘ Doesn’t offer pricing information online

✘ Has a more limited warranty than other providers

Solanta Solar 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.

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.

FAQs About Solar Companies in New York

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for solar providers is on a 100-point scale based on five factors:

• Payment options (40 points): Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of the four options they provide.
• Solar services (30 points): Does the company provide in-house installation of solar panels and battery backups? Can the company also monitor energy production and perform energy-efficiency audits to ensure system performance? The more options available, the higher the score. 
• Warranty options (10 points): The success of a residential solar system depends on the workmanship, performance guarantees, and length of product coverage. The more warranties a company offers, the higher the score it receives. 
• State Availability (10 points): We award the most points to companies with the broadest service area and state availability.
• Reputation (10 points): We factor in how the Business Better Bureau (BBB) scores each company. We deduct points for any alerts or pending lawsuits.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.