Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Ulster residents. Making the transition to solar energy can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why we’ve analyzed the options and assembled a guide to the most reliable solar installation companies in Ulster. These top companies consistently deliver high-quality and reliable services.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Family-operated business
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Family-operated business
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
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:
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 deciding if a solar installer is trustworthy.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. 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.
Check consumer review platforms 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 reliability and customer service. Use caution with providers that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should explain all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for your budget.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Going solar can help reduce your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
In Ulster, solar panels cost an average of $3,650 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 4.4 kilowatts. The typical Ulster homeowner spends $11,137 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information reflecting your desired system's size, panel type, required preliminary work, and capacity. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels 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) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance 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 a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, qualify for tax benefits, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
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 Ulster, the average amount someone can save is $880 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Ulster, meaning your payback period could last 12.7 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. Many solar contractors in the Ulster area offer low-cost 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, a contractor might recommend 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 lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
