The weather and solar tax incentives available in New York present a great opportunity for residents to save money and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time. There are also many different solar installers to choose from, each offering different pricing, equipment, and warranty coverage. In this guide, we’ll be giving you our picks for the best solar companies in New York, plus information on how to choose the best one for your home and budget.
Best Solar Installation Companies in New York
New Yorkers have plenty of options when it comes to solar installers, from small, local companies that provide stellar customer service to large national ones that have low pricing and above-average warranty coverage. Below is a list of the top seven solar contractors we’ve identified that service New York customers.
- Best Overall: SunPower
- Best Customer Service: Empower Solar
- Best for Local Experience: Momentum Solar
- Best Customer Reviews: Paradise Energy Solutions
- Best for Customized Systems: SUNation Solar Systems
- Best Financing Options: Trinity Solar
- Best Technology: Tesla
Compare the Best Solar Companies in New York
| Company | Our Take | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Warranty | In-House Installation | Cost |
| SunPower | Overall | 9.8 | A+ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship, and efficiency | Sometimes | $$$$ |
| Empower Solar | Best Customer Service | 9.8 | A+ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship, and efficiency | Yes | $$$ |
| Momentum Solar | Best for Local Experience | 9.5 | A+ | 25 to 30 years for equipment plus 10 years for workmanship | Yes | $$$ |
| Paradise Energy Solutions | Best Customer Reviews | 9.5 | A+ | 25 years for equipment and performance | Yes | $$$ |
| SUNation Energy Solutions | Best for Customized Systems | 9.3 | N/A | Manufacturer’s warranty for equipment plus 25 years for workmanship | Yes | $$$$ |
| Trinity Solar | Best Financing Options | 9.2 | N/A | 25 years for equipment plus 5 years for workmanship | Yes | $$$ |
| Tesla | Best Technology | 9.1 | B | 25 years for equipment plus 10 years overall | No | $$ |
1. SunPower
SunPower is one of the leading national solar providers in the United States, and it has a strong presence in New York. It is best known for its best-in-class solar equipment and its unmatched solar warranty, which covers equipment, workmanship, and solar panel power production for 25 years.
Pros
- Leader in solar equipment
- Incredible warranty coverage
- Massive service area
- Many years of experience
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Only sells one solar product
Company Profile: Cost, Warranty, & Services
SunPower is a little more expensive than many of its competitors, but it is unmatched in equipment quality and warranty coverage. As such, most customers agree that the higher price is worth the investment.
Average Cost
SunPower’s systems average between $2.85 and $3.25 per watt, which is more costly than the national average and the average in NY. The typical 6.5-kW system required to offset electricity bills in the Empire State will cost between $18,500 and $22,000 from SunPower. This is before the 26% federal tax credit is considered.
Warranty
SunPower is well known in the solar industry for its incredible warranty coverage. It covers the equipment, the power production, and the workmanship for 25 years. The company also provides roof leak coverage, which is very uncommon but great for New Yorkers, given the above-average rainfall in the area.
Solar Services
SunPower installs solar panels, solar batteries, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. It also provides solar monitoring services for free for all installed systems.
Financing Options
SunPower accepts all financing options, including cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Specials or Incentives Offered
You can earn $100 in referral bonuses for every customer you refer to SunPower. This is far from the best referral program, but it’s a nice bonus for promoting renewable energy.
In-House or Contracted Installations
SunPower currently handles some of its installations in-house. It’s moving to a new business model where it handles all installations, which should lead to more consistent customer service.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
SunPower only installs panels made by its sister company, Maxeon. However, these are considered the best solar panels available in terms of efficiency.
Partnerships
Many of SunPower’s installers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The company is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It’s also a member of the Green Building Council.
2. Empower Solar
Empower Solar is a small solar company that only completes local solar installations. It services Long Island and New York City (NYC) only. However, it ranks so highly on our list because of its unmatched customer service and commitment to customer satisfaction.
Pros
- Outstanding customer service
- Local knowledge and experience
- Great company reputation
- High-performance equipment
- Excellent warranty coverage
Cons
- Limited service area
- Limited financing options
- Few brands available
Company Profile: Cost, Warranty, & Services
Empower provides outstanding value for the money. In the sections below, we’ll include information on the company’s pricing, warranty coverage, and more.
Average Cost
Empower is around average when it comes to cost, so you can reasonably expect a system from this company to total around $14,000 after the ITC is considered.
Warranty
Empower only installs SunPower solar panels, so every system comes with the company’s unmatched 25-year comprehensive warranty. This covers equipment, power production, and workmanship, and you also get coverage for roof leaks.
Solar Services
Empower handles solar panel and solar battery installations and hooking up EV chargers. It also offers free solar monitoring.
Financing Options
Empower only accepts cash purchases and solar financing. There are no options for solar leases or PPAs, although we typically don’t advocate for those options anyway.
Specials or Incentives Offered
Empower has a referral program that provides a $50 gift card for each solar assessment scheduled with a referred customer. If any referred customers end up installing solar, you also get a $500 bonus.
In-House or Contracted Installations
Empower has an in-house team of installers. They are super knowledgeable, professional, and courteous, and they play a key role in maintaining the company’s reputation for great customer service.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Empower Solar only installs Maxeon solar panels (previously called SunPower solar panels) and Tesla Powerwalls. While the options are limited, these are regarded as the most efficient pieces of equipment available for home solar systems.
Partnerships
Empower Solar is partnered with several companies on Long Island to set up community solar farms. It also has NABCEP-certified installers on its team, and the company is accredited by the BBB.
3. Momentum Solar
Momentum Solar is a regional solar installer and is one of the best in New York if you’re looking for expertise on local solar incentives and regulations. The company carefully chooses which states to operate in and becomes experts in those areas, one of which is New York. For more detailed information read our in-depth review of Momentum Solar.
Pros
- Local expertise
- Great warranty coverage
- Excellent customer service
- Services the entire state
- Many financing options available
Cons
- Only offers solar panels and batteries
- Slightly more expensive than competitors
Company Profile: Cost, Warranty, & Services
Momentum Solar is a great option for going solar in New York. Although it’s a touch on the expensive side, the value provided for the cost is outstanding. We’ll include some additional information about this company below.
Average Cost
Momentum comes in just above the state average in terms of pricing. While most other companies hover around $14,000 total, Momentum will likely be closer to $15,000. Again, the value provided for the cost is excellent.
Warranty
Momentum also has great warranty coverage. It covers the equipment and workmanship for 25 years, and you also get the manufacturer’s warranty.
Solar Services
Momentum does fall a bit short when it comes to the services offered. It only installs solar panels and solar batteries, so it’s not the best option if you’re looking for add-on products or extended services.
Financing Options
Momentum Solar strives to keep solar accessible for all homeowners. To that end, it accepts cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases, and PPAs.
Specials or Incentives Offered
Like many other local installers, Momentum has a referral program that can let you earn money for promoting its services. You’ll get $75 for each referred customer that has a consultation, and an additional $75 if that person signs an agreement, and an additional $500 if they go through with the installation.
In-House or Contracted Installations
Momentum has a large team of in-house installation specialists, so you’ll never have your solar project outsourced to a third-party installer when you go with this company.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Momentum Solar offers Enphase batteries. When it comes to panels, it doesn’t publish specific information about the brands it uses. However, it does note that all of the panels installed are tier-one options.
Partnerships
Some of Momentum’s installers are certified by NABCEP, but there are no other industry affiliations to note.
4. Paradise Energy Solutions
Paradise Energy Solutions is based in Pennsylvania but services the Tri-State area, including all of New York. Despite its large size, though, it is still able to provide a positive customer experience to most New Yorkers, and it delivers high-quality, high-efficiency equipment for each of its installations.
Pros
- Great equipment warranty coverage
- Excellent customer service
- Countless positive reviews
- Good selection of solar brands
Cons
- Limited financing options
- Workmanship warranty is below average
Company Profile: Cost, Warranty, & Services
Paradise Energy Solutions excels in customer service and brings stellar customer service to the local solar industry. We’ll discuss the cost, warranty, and equipment information in the sections below.
Average Cost
Paradise Energy Solutions doesn’t have specific costs posted on its website, but based on past customers’ reviews, we’ve determined that the cost is around average for the NY area. You can expect to pay around $14,000 for a solar system from this company.
Warranty
Paradise Energy Solutions offers a 25-year warranty for equipment, which is great. However, the workmanship warranty is only 10 years, which is below the industry average.
Solar Services
Paradise Energy Solutions only handles installations for solar panels and solar batteries. Homeowners who want add-on products or services will have to look elsewhere.
Financing Options
This company accepts all financing options. These include cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases, and PPAs.
In-House or Contracted Installations
Paradise Energy Solutions performs all of its solar installations in-house, so you’ll only have Paradise installers working on your system.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
This company installs equipment from quite a few different manufacturers. These include Enphase, LG, SMA, Solar Edge, QCells, Peimar, Axitec, and Solectria. Some of these are tier-one brands, and others are tier-two.
Partnerships
Some of Paradise Energy Solutions’ installers are NABCEP certified. This is the only noteworthy partnership the company has in the solar industry.
5. SUNation Energy Solutions
SUNation Energy Solutions is a small, local company that only serves Long Island, plus Brooklyn and parts of Queens. It offers a nice array of equipment brands, equipment, and solar services for plenty of customization options. The customer service is also excellent.
Pros
- Great customer service
- Local experience
- Opportunity for system customization
- Many years of experience
- Great warranty coverage
Cons
- Limited service area
- Expensive
- Few financing options available
Company Profile: Cost, Warranty, & Services
SUNation is one of the leading solar installers on Long Island, and it provides excellent quality. However, it is more costly than many competitors in the area. We’ll provide some information about this company below to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Average Cost
SUNation doesn’t post average system costs online, but based on reviews and customer data, its prices appear to come in above average. You can expect to pay $15,000 or more in most cases when going solar with this installer.
Warranty
SUNation offers the manufacturer’s warranty on all products, which averages around 25 years for the equipment. It also provides its own 25-year warranty for workmanship to deliver peace of mind.
Solar Services
SUNation offers traditional solar services, including solar panels, solar batteries, and EV chargers. It also handles solar electric system maintenance, upgrades to home electrical systems, and other energy efficiency upgrades for your home.
Financing Options
SUNation only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, so its systems are a bit less accessible than those from companies that also accept solar leases and PPAs. This is especially true given the high cost of SUNation’s services.
Specials or Incentives Offered
SUNation Energy Solutions does have a referral program through which you can earn cash for referring other homeowners or commercial customers. However, there are no specifics regarding the bonus you receive for referrals.
In-House or Contracted Installations
SUNation has a dedicated team of in-house installers. That means no outsourced installations and overall better customer service.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
SUNation offers a great variety of tier-one solar brands. These include Panasonic, Solaria, Tesla, REC, Enphase, and S-Energy.
Partnerships
Many of SUNation’s installers are NABCEP certified. However, the company doesn’t have any other noteworthy solar industry affiliations.
6. Trinity Solar
Trinity Solar is a local solar installer that has been serving New Yorkers since 1994. It has decades of local experience behind it, along with a long-standing reputation for excellent customer service.
Read this deep dive of Trinity Solar for more information on this top solar company.
Pros
- Great equipment warranty
- Many years of experience
- Localized knowledge
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Workmanship warranty is lacking
- Limited service area
Company Profile: Cost, Warranty, & Services
Trinity Solar provides great value for the money, especially given the caliber of the customer service. We’ll include additional information about this company and its offerings below.
Average Cost
Trinity Solar doesn’t have any specific information available regarding pricing. However, it typically comes in around the average for the New York area, so you can expect prices to fall relatively close to $14,000 after the ITC is considered.
Warranty
Trinity Solar’s equipment warranty covers panels, batteries, and inverters for 25 years. However, the workmanship warranty included is only good for five years, which is below the industry standard.
Solar Services
This company installs solar panels and solar batteries, and it tackles energy efficiency upgrades as well. It doesn’t offer EV chargers or solar monitoring.
Financing Options
Trinity Solar aims to make solar accessible and affordable by accepting cash purchases, solar financing, solar leases, and PPAs. This company should appeal to most homeowners, regardless of their financial situation.
Specials or Incentives Offered
You can earn up to $1,000 for each customer you refer to this company that eventually installs solar panels. This is a great way to earn some extra money while promoting clean energy.
In-House or Contracted Installations
Trinity Solar handles all of its installations in-house, which is one reason why it upholds its reputation for great customer service.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Trinity Solar doesn’t post specific solar brand offerings on its website, and that’s partially because it installs a wide variety of equipment. If you’re looking for a specific brand, the company’s representatives should be able to help you.
Partnerships
Trinity Solar employs numerous NABCEP-certified solar installers, and the company is accredited by the BBB. Additionally, it partners with local non-profit companies and provides a portion of each sale to one of them.
7. Tesla
The Tesla brand is best known for its electric vehicles, but the massive tech company also produces solar panels, solar shingles, and Tesla Powerwalls, which are considered the best solar batteries available. The company also price matches to keep costs down.
Pros
- High-tech, efficient equipment
- Price matching for affordability
- Great availability
Cons
- No leases or PPAs
- Outsources installations
- Only installs its own products
- Workmanship warranty isn’t the best
Company Profile: Cost, Warranty, & Services
Tesla provides great value for the money in terms of equipment and efficiency, although the customer service can be sub-par due to outsourcing. We’ll discuss some of the more important aspects of this company below.
Average Cost
Tesla doesn’t have information available for its solar equipment pricing. However, it matches prices from competitors, so your system can end up being quite affordable. In general, though, it comes out to around average.
Warranty
Tesla has a great 25-year warranty on all of its equipment. Unfortunately, the workmanship warranty only lasts for 10 years, which is less than ideal and not as long as you’ll get from many competitors.
Solar Services
Tesla installs solar panels, solar batteries, and EV chargers. It also offers solar shingles, a technology pioneered by the tech company and one of the most energy-efficient types of roofing.
Financing Options
Tesla only accepts solar loans and cash purchases. Rather than keeping costs down with leases and PPAs, it does so by offering a price match system to beat competitors.
In-House or Contracted Installations
Tesla outsources all of the installations for its solar equipment. Unfortunately, this often leads to customer service that is less than ideal, and it can also lead to delays in installation and issues with the equipment or roof penetration.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Another downside of working with Tesla is that it only installs its own equipment. You’ll be locked into Tesla solar panels or shingles as well as the Tesla Powerwall.
Partnerships
Tesla is accredited by the BBB but has no other partnerships in the solar industry.
Final Verdict: The Best Solar Company in New York
There is no shortage of solar companies available for hire in New York, and deciding which one you want to hire for your solar system can be difficult. To find the best one for your home, you’ll need to assess companies based on price, value, equipment options, and warranty coverage, along with other factors that can affect your overall experience.
Our pick for the best solar company in New York is SunPower. SunPower is best known for providing the most efficient solar panels in the industry, but it also has the most appealing warranty coverage, a huge service area, and open availability.
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Solar Company in New York
If you’re deciding between some of the companies we’ve reviewed above, or you’re considering moving forward with a different option, it’s important to know how to compare providers based on your local needs in NY. We’ll discuss some of the most important considerations to make when going solar in New York.
Cost of Services & Installation
First, you should consider the overall pricing of the services. To get this information, you might have to request a free consultation and quote from the companies in the running. You can sometimes use the pricing to rule out providers, as some of the more expensive ones could easily fall outside of your budget.
When comparing pricing, we suggest you also consider the quality of the service and equipment you get for the price. Some equipment brands — like Maxeon panels from SunPower — are more efficient than others and are worth more. While they come with higher upfront costs, they also could lead to greater savings over time.
Equipment and Damages Warranty
New York is prone to some severe weather, including thunderstorms, tropical storms, and the remnants of hurricanes. Parts of the state also receive upwards of 50 inches of rain each year, meaning the risk of roof leaks following solar installation is higher than average.
Solar warranties can cover equipment, efficiency, or workmanship, and the best of the best cover all three. Lengthy warranties will help keep your investment protected in New York’s frequently inclement weather, and companies that offer roof leak protection — like Empower — can provide the greatest peace of mind in rainier areas.
Solar Services Offered
Some solar customers will just want panels installed and connected to the electrical grid for backup power. Others might want add-on products and services like:
- Solar batteries for providing power through blackouts — a great option for northern NY, where snowfall is well above average and leads to power outages
- EV chargers
- Solar panel maintenance, and
- Solar monitoring.
If you know what services you want, you can rule out companies that don’t provide those options.
Financing Options
Solar energy systems in New York average around $24,500 before the federal tax credit or other New York solar incentives which is quite expensive. Many homeowners won’t be able to pay cash for their system, although this payment option does tend to lead to the greatest savings over time.
Most companies also accept solar financing, which decreases upfront payment but usually doesn’t eliminate it. Solar leases and PPAs are no-money-down options offered by some companies. However, these tend to save far less in energy savings than loans and cash purchases, so they’re often not recommended.
Do They Contract Installation?
We recommend you check to see if the solar companies you’re considering have in-house installation teams that complete the actual work. Those that do will typically have better customer service, and it might be easier to file warranty claims with them.
Other companies — like Tesla — use third-party companies for the installations. This helps keep costs down, but it can sometimes lead to poor customer service.
Neither is exclusively better, so you’ll have to decide which is best for your situation.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
There are many different companies that manufacture solar equipment, and the panels, batteries, and inverters all vary in their efficiency, durability, and quality. There is no single brand that is best for everyone, although Maxeon panels from SunPower and the Tesla Powerwall are two of the most respected and efficient pieces of equipment in the industry.
If you know what equipment brands you want based on price, warranty, or efficiency, you can rule out any companies that don’t offer those brands.
Average Online Rating and Customer Reviews
We suggest looking at online reviews for solar companies you’re thinking of hiring. It’s not always easy to ascertain the quality provided by an installer unless you get an unbiased look at its past services, and company reviews are a great way to do this.
We recommend looking at both positive and negative reviews to see the best-case scenario and the worst-case scenario you might run into when you choose that company.
Industry Partnerships
Looking at a company’s affiliations within the solar industry and partnerships it has with local companies or organizations is a good way to confirm that the installer is in the industry for more than just profit. New York is ranked 11th in the country for solar installations, so there are plenty of companies popping up to take advantage of the demand. Partnerships establish trust and suggest reputability.
Size of Company
Finally, you should consider the size of the company you’re thinking of hiring. Larger, national companies are appealing to some homeowners because they usually have flexible installation timelines, lower prices, and better warranties, although that’s not always the case.
Smaller, local companies typically provide superior customer service and customization options for your system. Regional providers usually fall somewhere in the middle.
Again, no option will be ideal for everyone, so you’ll have to decide which you prefer.
FAQs abut the Best Solar Companies in New York
Who is the most reputable solar installer in NY?
We believe SunPower is the most reputable solar installer in New York. This company has been in business since 1985, so it has many decades of experience and success behind it. It also provides an industry-leading warranty, so most customers will find ultimate peace of mind when going with this solar installer.
Is getting solar in NY worth it?
For the large majority of customers in New York State, solar is an outstanding investment. The Empire State has some great solar incentives, including net metering, which lets you produce excess energy and credit future bills for maximum savings. The state also receives 224 days of sun per year, which is well above average and plenty to offset electric bills for most homeowners.
Most New Yorkers who pay cash for their solar solutions experience energy savings that pay for the equipment and installation fees within 10 years. The additional 10 years of expected system life should provide far more long-term savings.
Does NY get enough sun for solar?
Yes! As mentioned above, New York residents enjoy 224 sunny days per year, which is above the national average. Provided you don’t have heavy shading on your roof, you should receive plenty of sun to make going solar a good investment.
How much do solar panels cost in New York?
The average cost for solar panels in New York is around $2.95 per watt. Since most customers need a 6.5-kW system to eliminate utility bills, the typical system will cost around $19,000.
After the federal tax credit, that total drops to an average of around $14,000. There are some additional local rebates that could help further reduce the cost of solar panel installation as well.
With that being said, many factors can affect your pricing. System costs totaling between $9,000 and $22,000 are not uncommon.
Will solar panels in NY lower my electricity bill?
In most cases, yes. In fact, many New York homeowners eliminate their energy bills by going solar.
Your panels harvest energy from the sun. When they produce more than your home is using, NY’s net metering program lets you send the excess to the grid. You maintain access to that free power whenever your system underproduces, like on a day with heavy cloud coverage.
With a properly-sized system, it’s very common for New Yorkers to see a $0 energy bill each month for most of the year.
Are there tax credits for solar panels in NY?
Unfortunately, New York doesn’t currently have a statewide solar tax credit. However, the federal investment tax credit (ITC) is available to all NY residents. This provides a credit to your income taxes for 26% of the total system cost. In New York, the ITC averages out to around $5,000.
Who is the most affordable solar installer in New York?
Tesla is considered the most affordable solar installer in New York. While its products are high-tech and relatively expensive on their own, the company offers price matching, which means you can often get its equipment for less than competitors charge for their own.
Can I get solar for free in NY?
Some solar panel companies advertise “free panels,” but this is usually a deal — like a solar lease or PPA — that doesn’t require money down. In reality, there is no such thing as free panels. Solar leases and PPAs both come with their own downsides. For example, they don’t lead to you owning the equipment, and they save you the least amount of money over time.
