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 new solar energy system could give you a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Switching to solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and compiled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in Olean.
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
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 lower electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. New York state does not issue licenses to contractors, so you should check with your city or county government for its specific requirements and regulations.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. A quote should outline all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Going solar can help lower your energy expenses. 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 solar technology being used. The typical Olean solar array has a capacity of 4.7 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,650 per kilowatt; the average Olean homeowners spends about $11,918 on a new solar system 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 provider will account for factors such as the panel type, size, and capacity of the planned system, and should include prices 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:
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar water heating system.
There are many benefits to home solar energy. You can save money, raise your property values, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Olean can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. In areas like Olean with moderate sunlight, the period could last 17.8 years per 5 kW of power, but may be shorter if you have low electricity costs or a smaller energy capacity.
While solar energy might not be ideal for some in wet or dark areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could boost 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.
The answer will depend on your specific needs and goals. In most cases, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for Olean homes. However, if you have a limited budget, then you may want to consider thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the different types of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
