Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.”
With its high electricity rates and state-level solar incentive programs, New York is one of the best states in the country for going solar. The average New York homeowner saves more than $24,000 in energy bills over the course of 25 years when they make the switch to solar power. Deciding to invest in a home solar panel system in New York is easy, but figuring out which solar company is right for you can be a challenge.
In this article, I’m going to review the best solar companies in New York. I spent countless hours researching many of the state’s more than 200 solar companies to bring you this shortlist of the top five providers. These companies are the ones I considered when going solar myself on Long Island, and they offer the best value for your money, provide top-notch customer service, and provide incredible warranty protection.
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
What Are the Best Solar Companies in New York?
The Empire State is home to some of the best solar companies in the country. Here’s a list of my picks for the top five solar providers available in the state, along with what makes them stand out from the pack:
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Solar Installer in New York?
Before I get to the reviews, I want to highlight a few key things you should look for from any solar company before you give them your business:
Solar Warranty: A solid warranty is one of the most important things to look for from New York solar companies. Winters in New York can be icy and snowy, which puts a lot of stress on rooftop solar panels. I suggest only considering companies that offer at least a 25-year product warranty that covers equipment and performance and at least a 10-year workmanship warranty.
Company Certifications: You should make sure that a solar installer has all of the necessary certifications and licenses to operate in New York before you schedule a free consultation. The best solar companies make it easy to find information about their certifications, and missing licensing details can be a red flag. I always look for companies that use licensed electricians and technicians with certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Reputation: Reading solar reviews and customer feedback for a solar company is one of the best ways to get a feel for what a company is like and the experience you’ll have if you become a customer. You should read customer reviews and look for any recurring complaints that could be a sign of poor customer support. Considering the review scores companies get on review sites like Google Reviews and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a good way to get a broad sense of how a company treats its customers. This is especially important in an area like NY, where there are hundreds of providers.
Compare New York’s Top-Rated Solar Providers
In the following sections, I’m going to cover each of the top five solar installers in detail. I’ll discuss why I chose each company and highlight their strengths and weaknesses to help you determine which one is the best fit for you and your home.
The table below offers a quick, high-level comparison of each company:
Company | Logo | Star Rating | Best For | Service Area | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Local Company |
New York |
||||
Best for System Customization |
NY & FL |
||||
Best Technology |
All 50 states |
||||
Best Customization Options |
9 states |
Empower Solar
4.2
Our Rating
Empower only operates in New York, which means that it’s more familiar with New York’s solar rules and regulations than national providers. The company’s technicians are local experts, and your solar project manager will help you navigate the sometimes confusing landscape of New York’s solar incentive programs.
Empower is the best choice for you if you want a local company that understands the unique challenges and requirements of installing solar systems in New York. The company handles connecting your system to the grid and applying for any solar incentives you qualify for. It will also assist you in signing up for the state’s new Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) program, which is New York’s alternative to net-metering programs.
Another reason to choose Empower is that the company installs SunPower systems, which means you can get high-efficiency Maxeon panels installed by a team of local experts. The installation teams Empower uses are friendly and knowledgeable, and the company’s salespeople are always available to answer questions, a luxury you won’t find from larger installers.
Empower’s solar warranty is among the best in the business, so you don’t have to sacrifice coverage if you want to go with a small, local company.
Here’s the bad news: Empower only operates on Long Island, so if you live in the city or upstate, you’re out of luck. The company’s limited scope is what allows it to provide superlative customer service, but it’s a shame that residents who live elsewhere in the state can’t benefit from what Empower has to offer.
Another downside to choosing Empower is that its systems are expensive since the company only installs Maxeon panels.
Empower only installs Maxeon panels, so there’s no room to customize your system by choosing a different panel. Having a selection of brands to choose from is nice, but Maxeon’s panels are a superb option in New York, so it’s hard to complain.
Empower also offers the following additional solar products and services:
- Level 2 EV charging stations
- MySunPower solar monitoring app
- Panel maintenance and washing
- Tesla Powerwall solar batteries
- Tesla solar monitoring app
Empower accepts cash, solar loans, and solar leases but doesn’t offer PPAs. A cash purchase will save you the most money in the long run, but paying cash for an expensive system is not possible for everyone. If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford to pay cash, I recommend taking out a solar loan. It’s the second-best option, with only slightly lower lifetime savings than a cash purchase.
Empower offers a 25 to 40-year product warranty, depending on which Maxeon panels you have installed. It also offers a 25-year workmanship warranty, which is more than twice as long as the industry standard and perfect for providing peace of mind through New York’s sometimes inclement weather.
SUNation Energy Solutions
3.8
Our Rating
SUNation is a local solar company that services Long Island and New York City. It offers an impressive selection of solar panel brands, so it’s good for homeowners who want to have a say in what panels they get.
SUNation has a wider selection of panels available than most companies, which is ideal for people who want a variety of options to choose from. The company also performs roof contracting work and energy-efficiency upgrades, which complement its solar energy systems.
The company services Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan, Nassau, and Suffolk counties but doesn’t work upstate. SUNation’s employees are well-versed in New York’s solar permitting process and will help you get your system connected to the grid by working directly with your electric company.
SUNation has the superb customer service I expect out of a company of its size, and its technicians are personable and skilled. The company has an excellent reputation and receives good reviews on sites like Google Reviews and the BBB website.
SUNation doesn’t service the entire state of New York, so you’ll have to choose another installer if you don’t live on Long Island or in New York City. I understand that expanding the company’s service area may degrade its ability to provide the same outstanding customer service the company is known for, but it’s unfortunate that more of New York State’s residents can’t benefit from SUNation’s customer service and care.
The biggest downside to going solar with SUNation is that the company’s workmanship warranty is only good for five years, which is half of the industry standard. New York’s winters can be hard on solar systems, so I’d love to see longer labor coverage.
SUNation installs solar panels from many of the solar industry’s top brands, including REC, Solaria, and S-Energy. The company also installs solar batteries and EV charging stations from Tesla and uses inverters and microinverters made by Enphase.
The company also does roof replacements and repairs, as well as general electrical contracting, and can work with you to improve your home’s overall energy efficiency before you have a solar system installed.
Here’s a look at all of the products and services SUNation offers:
- Electrical contracting
- Energy-efficiency upgrades
- EV charging stations
- Roof repairs and replacements
- Solar monitoring through the Tesla app
- Solar panels from REC, Solaria, S-Energy, and other top brands
- Tesla Powerwall batteries
SUNatioin accepts cash, solar loans, and solar leases. If you want to finance your solar system with a PPA, you’ll have to choose a different solar installer. Again, I encourage you to maximize your savings by paying for your system upfront in cash if you can afford to.
SUNation’s equipment and performance warranty lasts for 25 years, but its workmanship warranty expires after just five years. Such a short workmanship warranty isn’t great for peace of mind, but SUNation’s reputation for performing high-quality installations helps assuage some of the fear of having a labor-related issue.
Tesla Energy
4.3
Our Rating
Tesla has a massive network of certified solar installers throughout New York State, so it’s easy to find a company that installs Tesla solar systems even if you don’t live in the city or on Long Island. Unfortunately, Tesla uses third-party contractors to perform its installations, which means that the customer experience varies a lot from one installer to the next.
Tesla uses third-party contractors to perform its solar installations, which gives it a wide reach at the expense of a consistent customer experience. You will almost certainly be able to find a Tesla dealer near you wherever you live in New York, which is great since many installers focus solely on the New York City metropolitan area.
Tesla’s systems seem expensive when you look at the sticker price, but the company has a price-matching program that keeps its systems as affordable as any similar system you find from another company. As long as the system is a similar size and has similar performance, Tesla will match its price within 14 days of your purchase date.
One of the best parts of going with a Tesla solar system is knowing that you’re getting top-of-the-line technology. Tesla’s Powerwall batteries are the gold standard for home battery storage, and its solar roofs are unmatched in their sleek elegance.
Using third-party installation companies is a double-edged sword for Tesla. I like that it lets the company service more of New York, but the inconsistency you get from different Tesla-certified installers is frustrating. I recommend looking for reviews of Tesla installers near you before you commit to going with the company and consider choosing a different company if your local installer isn’t great.
I also don’t like the limited brand selection Tesla offers. I’d like to see the company offer more than just QCells panels, even though I think they’re a quality option.
Tesla installs solar panels made by QCells. These panels are affordable without sacrificing much in the way of efficiency, so they’re more than efficient enough to make the most of New York’s modest annual sunshine.
Tesla makes one of the best solar batteries on the market — the Tesla Powerwall — and installs unique solar roofs that look more like shingles than a traditional rack-mounted solar panel array. The company also makes its own EV charging station, which you can use with its lineup of electric cars. The charger also works with other company’s vehicles, but you might need an adapter.
Here are all the solar products and services Tesla offers:
- QCells solar panels
- Solar monitoring via the Tesla app
- Solar roofs
- Tesla EV charging stations
- Tesla Powerwall batteries
Tesla accepts all four major payment options: cash, loans, leases, and PPAs. I encourage New York residents to pay for their system in cash if they can afford to since cash purchases will save them the most money in the long run. A loan is the next best option for net savings.
Tesla’s solar warranty covers equipment and performance for 25 years but only offers 10 years’ worth of workmanship coverage. While the average labor warranty in the solar industry is 10 years, I’d like to see Tesla offer a longer workmanship warranty like SunPower and ADT.
Trinity Solar
3.4
Our Rating
Trinity Solar has been installing residential solar arrays in New York for more than two decades, giving it the most local experience of any major installer located in the state. The company’s customer service is superb, and its work is wonderful. Trinity’s workmanship warranty isn’t as good as some of the other installers on this list, but the experience you get going with Trinity is worth the tradeoff, in my opinion.
Trinity has more experience than other solar installers in New York, which means it knows what it takes to design and install systems in the state. The company will help you navigate New York’s often confusing web of solar incentives and make sure that your system gets set up correctly with your local utility company.
Trinity Solar also focuses on giving back to the communities it operates in by donating $100 to the charity of your choosing when you sit down with the company for a consultation. If you ultimately decide to have Trinity install a solar system for you, the company will increase its donation to $1,000. I love to see this kind of community-first approach to solar and wish that more companies would follow Trinity’s lead.
The company installs a good range of different solar panels from top manufacturers and offers two solar battery options.
My least favorite thing about Trinity Solar is its short workmanship warranty. The industry average labor warranty lasts for ten years, while Trinity’s labor coverage is only good for five years. New York gets its fair share of inclement weather — especially in the winter — so having less workmanship coverage could become a problem.
Otherwise, the only common complaint I hear about Trinity is that the company is sometimes slow at responding to warranty claims. Having to pay New York’s above-average electricity rates while you wait for a warranty repair costs you money. While waiting for repairs is annoying, the company does honor its warranties; it just might take a while.
Trinity Solar installs solar panels from a variety of top panel manufacturers, but most of its systems use QCells panels, which offer a good value and enough performance to offset the average New York home’s energy consumption. Panels from other brands like Silfab, REC, and Canadian Solar have slightly higher efficiency ratings but also typically cost more than panels from QCells.
The company offers the following solar products and services alongside its selection of solar panels:
- Enphase solar monitoring app
- Generac PWRcell batteries
- Tesla Powerwall batteries
- Tesla solar monitoring app
Trinity Solar accepts cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases, and PPAs, so you should be able to find a payment option that works for you no matter what your budget is. If you can afford to pay cash, I encourage you to do so. A cash purchase will save you the most money in the long run.
Cash purchases and systems financed via a loan are eligible for the federal solar tax credit, which effectively saves you 30% by decreasing your federal income tax burden. Buying a system in cash or financing with a loan also leads to panel ownership, which increases your home’s value, making solar panels a relatively safe investment.
Momentum Solar
3.9
Our Rating
Momentum Solar’s concierge service is one of the best systems for interacting with customers I’ve seen anywhere in the solar industry. The company assigns a single solar project manager to every one of its installations, giving you a single point of contact with the company that makes it easy to ask questions and get information throughout the entire process.
Momentum Solar has the best customer service in the entire solar industry. The company excels at communicating with its customers throughout the installation process, which is, unfortunately, not always the case with other providers. If you have any questions or concerns about your solar system or the installation, you’ll be able to get in touch with Momentum quickly and easily.
The company is also well-versed in New York’s solar laws and solar incentives, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of permits or sifting through incentive documents yourself. Your Momentum sales rep will help you find all of the solar incentives you qualify for and explain how to go about claiming them.
Momentum’s selection of solar panel brands is quite expensive, so you can get almost any brand of panel you want, provided you’re willing to wait for some less-common brands.
Momentum has been in the news multiple times over the past few years for lawsuits regarding discrimination in the workplace. While none of the allegations against the company have been proven true yet, it might make some people uncomfortable to support a company that possibly has a hostile workplace environment.
Momentum Solar also doesn’t install EV chargers, which is a big miss in a state like New York, where a significant fraction of the population owns electric cars. If you just want solar panels and solar batteries, Momentum is a good choice, but if you want a wide selection of other renewable energy services, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Momentum Solar will work with you to design a system that suits your home’s energy needs, and it has working relationships with a staggering number of the top solar panel brands to make that happen. You can get almost any panel you like from Momentum Solar, including panels from companies like QCells, REC, and Silfab, to name just a few. Having the freedom to customize your system is a big plus in New York since the cost of solar equipment is so high in the state.
The company also offers the following solar products and services to complement its solar panel installations:
- Enphase solar batteries
- The Enphase solar monitoring app
Momentum Solar’s financing options are just as flexible as its panel options. You can pay in cash, take out a solar loan, or enter a lease or PPA with the company. As usual, I recommend paying in full upfront in cash if you can swing it. Taking out a solar loan is also a good option since you’ll save almost as much as you would with a cash purchase, but the initial cost will be greatly reduced.
Momentum’s warranty is solid. You get 25 years’ worth of equipment, workmanship, and performance coverage with all solar system purchases.
How Much Does It Cost to Go Solar in New York?
Going solar in New York is more expensive than it is in most states, at least on a cost-per-watt basis. The average cost per watt for an average-sized solar system in New York is $2.95, while the national average is just $2.66 per watt.
The good news for New York homeowners is that the average New York home consumes less energy on a monthly basis than the average home in most other states. New Yorkers use about 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) each month, while the U.S. average is almost 900 kWh. That means that New York homes can get by with a smaller system that is, overall, more affordable than average despite the higher price per watt.
You should expect to pay around $19,175 for a solar system in New York, not including any discounts from solar incentives, state tax credits, or tax rebates. After the federal ITC, that price is effectively reduced to $13,423. You might be able to save even more money by taking advantage of New York’s state-level solar incentives, which I will cover in the next section.
How Can You Save Money With New York’s Best Solar Companies?
With the cost of solar equipment being as high as it is in New York, it’s crucial to save money in any way you can. Luckily, New Yorkers have a lot of options for saving money with the state’s best solar panel companies. Here are the top three ways you can save:
- Buy an appropriately sized system: Many people are surprised to hear that the average solar panel system size in New York is just 6.5 kilowatts (kW). The national average system size is 9 kW, but New Yorkers use significantly less energy than the residents of most other states. Your solar installer will work with you to help you design a system that has the right capacity to power your home, but if your quote is for a system that’s much larger than 6.5 kW, make sure you ask your installer why you need such a large system.
- Pay in cash: Paying in cash comes with significant upfront costs but saves you the most money in the long run. The average New York homeowner saves $24,387 over the course of their solar system’s life when they buy their system with cash. Financing the purchase with a solar loan saves $19,000, while solar leases only save you around $5,000 over your system’s lifetime. PPAs save even less money than leases, around $4,000 over the course of 25 years, on average.
- Solar incentives: New Yorkers can apply for the federal solar tax credit to claim 30% of their solar system’s total cost as a tax credit to reduce their federal tax burden for the year when they have their system installed. Empire State residents can also save money by taking advantage of state-level incentives, like the New York Solar Energy System Equipment Credit — which is administered through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) — and the NY-Sun PV Incentive Program. Clean energy systems — like rooftop solar panels — are also eligible for a sales tax exemption and a property tax exemption in New York.
So, Which New York Solar Company Should You Hire?
If you’re looking for a local company on Long Island, I strongly recommend Empower Solar, which is the company I used myself for my solar conversion. Honorable mentions go to Venture Solar and Solanta, two local solar installers that didn’t score highly enough to crack the top five.
Before you make your decision, I encourage you to get as many free quotes as you can from different solar installers to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. You can use the tool below to get your search started and find the best solar installers near you.
Read also: Solar Panels With Top-Tier Efficiency
FAQs About Solar Installers in New York
How much does the average solar system cost in NY?
The average price of a solar system in New York is $19,175 before any incentives and $13,423 after the federal solar ITC. New Yorkers can save even more money by applying for state-level tax incentives.
Is solar worth it in New York?
Yes, solar is definitely worth it in New York. The average New York homeowner saves around $24,000 by switching to solar, which is an excellent ROI given that the typical cost of a solar system in the state is just $13,423 after tax credits. Solar panels also increase your home’s value, which means it’s easy to recoup your investment if you decide to sell your home.
What are the best solar panels for New York?
New York’s rainy weather and limited annual sunshine require high-efficiency solar panels. Maxeon panels are the most efficient panels on the market and are the best for getting the most out of New York’s sunlight.
Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Solar Companies in New York
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our solar ratings emphasize what matters most to you—a wide range of energy-efficient panels, reputable and reliable installation, and comprehensive warranties.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and interviews with solar industry experts.
A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across six categories, converted to a five-star scale. We researched and analyzed dozens of solar installers and developed the following formula:
- Services Offered (20 points): What does each solar provider offer as a basic service with any solar installation plan? In-house labor led to companies being ranked higher than those that contracted their labor out to third parties. Similarly, battery installation and panel monitoring were key factors that we looked for in each provider. We give any companies that offer EV charger installations a boost since New York is a hotspot for electric vehicles.
- Warranty Period (20 points): Solar warranties can cover labor, components, or both. The length of these warranty plans is of chief importance. Companies that offer 25-year warranty coverage got our highest score in this category. New York’s harsh winters and above-average rainfall make a solid warranty even more important than it is in other states.
- Other Offerings (20 points): Solar companies that provide secondary services are rated highly. These include obtaining permits to operate (PTO), providing financing and price matching options, and mobile performance tracking options. The cost of solar is exceptionally high in New York, so we give more weight to having good financing options than we would in another state.
- Company Reputation (15 points): Our main metrics for rating company reputation were Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and complaint response rate. These are reliable indicators of quality. Many of our best providers have a 100% complaint response rate.
- Customer Service (15 points): Availability via phone and online is key for modern home service providers in any niche. Those that offer both, along with clearly posted business hours and in-person estimates, are rated highly. Momentum Solar provides the best customer service in New York; its concierge service is convenient and makes communicating with the company quick and painless.
- Availability (10 points): Companies with availability in more than 40 states received our highest score in this category. We rated providers with a more limited presence progressively lower, depending on exact reach. A unique challenge of finding a solar installer in New York is that most solar companies only have locations in and around New York City. Availability is extremely important for people who don’t live in the city or on Long Island. Tesla scores well in this category, with more locations spread throughout the state than any other installer.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.