Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Year after year, more Buffalo homeowners use rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a qualified solar installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and created a guide to the best and most trustworthy solar installation providers in Buffalo.
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Going solar can be a great way to reduce electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is reliable.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. To install a new photovoltaic system in Minnesota, a contractor must have an electrician or electrical contractor license from the Department of Labor and Industry, along with a residential building or remodeling contractors' license in some cases. If their work is regulated by the state's Mechanical Code, they must carry a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees show that a company is confident in its work.
Going solar can help decrease your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the technology used. The typical Buffalo solar array has a capacity of 7.1 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $4,030 per kilowatt; the average Buffalo homeowners spends roughly $20,102 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include costs for preliminary work, labor, and permit fees.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Solar: 100% exemption from real property taxes
Wind: 100% exemption from real and personal property taxes
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of sales tax
Incentive Amount:
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50
Natural Gas Furnace Existing Home: $200-$400
Natural Gas Furnace New Construction: $100-$200
Natural Gas Hot Water Boiler: $100-$400
ECM Furnace: $100
Central AC: $150-$450
Tank Water Heater: $75-$500
Tankless Water Heater: $250
Attic/Wall Insulation: 30% of project cost
Air Sealing: $150-$200
Furnaces: $200-$425
Boilers: $125-$400
ECM Motor Furnace Fan: $125
Programmable Thermostat: $10
Heat Pumps: $175-$475
Water Heating: $100-$250
Clothes Washer: $10
Refrigerator: $15
Ground Source Heat Pump: $150/ton
Incentive Amount:
Dishwasher: $35
Clothes Washer: $35
Electric Clothes Dryer: $35
Refrigerator: $35
Freezer: $35
Dehumidifier: $20
Room/Window A/C: $35
High Efficiency Electric Water Heater: $35
Central A/C Tune-Up: $35
Central A/C: $200-$350
Mini Split/Ductless A/C: $250
ECM Replacement Motor: $100
Furnaces: $200-$375
Heat Pump Water Heater: $250
Air Source Heat Pump: $250
Geothermal Heat Pump: $100/ton
Incentive Amount:
Ground Source Heat Pump: up to $1,200
Quick Cash Air-Source Heat Pump: up to $900
Quick Cash Air Conditioning: up to $200
Peak Shave Water Heating: $15/kW
Quick Cash Water Heating: Up to $950
Metered Water Storage: $0.06/kWh
Ductless Air Source Heat Pump: $200
Quick Cash Water Storage: up to $300
Dual Fuel: $5/kW
Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) $5/kW
HVAC Electronically Commutated Motor: $50/motor
Pool Pumps: $200-$400
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar water heating system.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can save money, raise your property values, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Buffalo, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Buffalo amount to $1,347.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. A majority of solar contractors in the Buffalo area offer multipoint maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
Yes, solar panels can still supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system can keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
