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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Every year, more Cortland residents install rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and provide a dependable source of power. Making the switch to solar power allows you to cut your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a trustworthy installation company first. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar installers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Cortland. These reliable providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners cut utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. New York regulators do not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your city or county government for its specific regulations and requirements.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar companies. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s dependability and customer service. Be cautious of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Get free, detailed quotes from 3–5 solar companies. The quotes should outline all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the most cost-effective option.
High-quality solar installations should come with robust workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help lower your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.
Cortland homeowners typically spend about $11,878 on home solar systems after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Cortland cost approximately $3,650 per kilowatt, with an average size of 4.6 kilowatts. An estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for labor, permit fees, and preliminary work, and will account for your system's panel type, size, and capacity. Some homeowners prefer to lease their solar panels in order to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
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 Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Upon local authorization, 100% exemption from local sales tax
Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Credit
Incentive Amount:
$0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel
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:
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.
There are a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, reduce emissions, and raise your property values. 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 where you live and what type of panels you're installing. Cortland can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, meaning that you can reap the environmental benefits and savings that come from using 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 Cortland amount to $620.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can send the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Some frequently-used types of home solar panels in Cortland include thin-film, monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while thin-film and polycrystalline panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about which solar panels they work with.
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