Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A rooftop solar array could give you a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a qualified solar installer. That’s why, after properly vetting providers, we compiled a guide to the most reputable solar companies in Cohoes. These installers have a reputation for dependable quality service.
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Family-operated business
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
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 lower your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. The New York state government does not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your city or county government for its specific requirements and regulations.
Check consumer review platforms like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with providers that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar company that works with your budget, get 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 most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The performance warranty promises a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar power can help lower your electricity costs over time. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to weigh these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Cohoes has a capacity of 4.5 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,650 per kilowatt; the average Cohoes homeowners spends roughly $11,379 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 installer will account for factors such as the size, panel type, and capacity of the planned system, and should include costs for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.
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) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar energy, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
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, meaning that 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 Cohoes amount to $648.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. A majority of solar contractors in the Cohoes area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
While solar energy might not be the best performing choice for some in wet or dark areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase your property's solar viability enough to achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to generate energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system will keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider and look for a solar system that includes a battery backup.
