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 solar panel array could give you a renewable power source that will eventually pay for itself. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a qualified solar installer. That’s why we’ve researched the options and assembled a guide to the most reliable solar providers in Hamlin. These top providers consistently deliver high-quality and dependable services.
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners reduce utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re evaluating if you want to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly 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.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers have to say about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s dependability and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Contact 3–5 solar companies to get free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the most cost-effective option for you.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar power can help reduce your electricity costs over time. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
The average Hamlin homeowner will spend around $10,653 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Hamlin cost approximately $3,650 per kilowatt, with an average size of 4.2 kilowatts. A personalized estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for preliminary work, labor, and permit fees, and will account for your system's capacity, size, and panel type. Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels in order to reduce upfront costs.
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:
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
With home solar panels, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.
It depends on where you live and what type of panels you're installing. Hamlin can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Hamlin, the average amount someone can save is $661 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.
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. Hamlin gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 16.1 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. A majority of solar contractors in the Hamlin area offer multipoint maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
While solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
The answer depends on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for Hamlin homes. However, if you have a limited budget, then you may want to consider polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the different types of solar panels a contractor offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
