Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A new solar energy system could give you a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Switching to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. That’s why, after reviewing and analyzing installers, we put together a guide to the most reliable solar companies in Chester. These companies consistently deliver excellent service.
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Family-operated business
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
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:
Installing solar panels can cut your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When evaluating if a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. New York regulators do not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your county or city government for its specific regulations and requirements.
Check TrustPilot, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Stay away from companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty addresses any installation defects (such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar energy 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 system capacity and the technology being used. The typical Chester solar array has a capacity of 4.3 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,650 per kilowatt; the average Chester homeowners spends about $11,058 on a new solar array 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 company will account for factors such as the panel type, size, and capacity of the planned system, and should include costs for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Credit
Incentive Amount:
$0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Upon local authorization, 100% exemption from local sales tax
Incentive Amount:
Incentive rates step down over time as MW goals are met. Incentive rates as of 11/27/2019 are:
Residential:
Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed)
Con Edison Region: $0.30/W
Upstate Region: $0.35/W
Low-to-Moderate income customers: $0.80/W (up to 10 kW)
Small Commercial (Non-Residential):Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed)
Con Edison Region: $0.60/W
Up State Region: $0.45/W
Multifamily Affordable Housing Adder: additional $0.40/W (up to 50 kW)
Incentive Amount:
Tier I: 10,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $3.50/annual kWh
Tier II: 10,000 kWh - 125,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $1.00/annual kWh
Tier III: 125,000 kWh - 1,000,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $0.30/ annual kWh
Tier IV: Greater than 1,000,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $0.15/ annual kWh
These incentives are additive.
Incentive Amount:
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can raise your property values, save money, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Chester, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
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 Chester amount to $1,084.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Chester, meaning your payback period could last 10.2 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can sell the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Yes. Solar panels are independent of the Chester grid and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
Some frequently-used types of home solar panels in Chester include polycrystalline, monocrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about the types of solar panels they work with.
