Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Rochester homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you provide a dependable source of power, add value to your property, and decrease your carbon footprint. Adopting solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. That’s why, after reviewing and analyzing installers, we assembled a guide to the most trusted solar companies in Rochester. These installers consistently deliver high-quality service.
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Family-operated business
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Family-operated business
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
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 save money on electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. A master electrician must oversee solar PV installations in New Hampshire. However, solar thermal installers need not be licensed plumbers unless a locality requires it.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s reliability and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation problems such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Solar energy can help lower your energy expenses over time. Be sure to weigh these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on system capacity and the technology used. The average solar system in Rochester has a capacity of 4.9 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $4,220 per kilowatt; the average Rochester homeowners spends about $14,508 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for things like the panel type, size, and capacity of the planned system, and should include prices for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
Incentive Amount:
Lighting: Online discounts & coupons at participating retailers
LED Light Fixture: $5
Heating/Cooling Equipment: Up to $400
Heat Pump Water Heaters: Up to $600
Clothes Dryers: up to $200
Clothes Washer: Up to $50
Dehumidifier: $25
ENERGY STAR Homes: $4,000
Natural Gas Heating Equipment: Up to $1,500
Natural Gas thermostats: Up to $100
Pool Pumps: Up to $500
Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling: $30
Refrigerators: Up to $75
Room Air Conditioner: $20
Room Air Purifiers: $40
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar water heating system.
With home solar panels, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Rochester can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
Yes. The grid in Rochester already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and their rated capacity. Rochester gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 14.5 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Yes, solar panels can still provide 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.
Ultimately, the answer will depend on your specific situation. You'll be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to notify your insurer about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
Solar panels can be more efficient than other forms of renewable energy. They have low maintenance costs and today's systems can generate and manage energy under more conditions.
