Whether you’re remodeling a home near Buffalo or creating an off-grid cabin near Syracuse, New York state offers plenty of sunshine and incentives for transitioning to solar power. Selecting a provider can be more daunting; according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), there are more than 600 solar companies in the Empire State.

The This Old House Home Reviews Team has rigorously researched the top professional solar companies in New York to help you decide. This guide covers the top six providers’ warranties, costs, and solar panel offerings.

Compare Solar Companies Across NY

Star Rating Best For Location Presence BBB Rating Link
SunPower SunPower
Best High-Efficiency System 50 States A+ Get Quote
Momentum Momentum
Best Solar Panel Installation 11 States A+ Get Quote
Palmetto Palmetto
Best Customer Support 24 States A+ Get Quote
Tesla Solar Tesla Solar
Best Solar Tech 50 States NR Get Quote
SunPower
Logo SunPower
Star Rating
Best For Best High-Efficiency System
Location Presence 50 States
BBB Rating A+
Get Quote
Momentum
Logo Momentum
Star Rating
Best For Best Solar Panel Installation
Location Presence 11 States
BBB Rating A+
Get Quote
Palmetto
Logo Palmetto
Star Rating
Best For Best Customer Support
Location Presence 24 States
BBB Rating A+
Get Quote
Tesla Solar
Logo Tesla Solar
Star Rating
Best For Best Solar Tech
Location Presence 50 States
BBB Rating NR
Get Quote
Company
Star Rating
Best For
Location Presence
BBB Rating
Best High-Efficiency System
50 States
A+
Best Northeast Regional Installer
10 States
A+
Best Customer Support
24 States
A+
Best Solar Panel Installation
11 States
A+
1 State

New York’s Top Solar Energy Companies:


Our Top Solar Company Picks for New York

SunPower Best High-Efficiency System
4.8
  • Why We Picked It: SunPower offers some of the most efficient solar panels, with rates ranging from 20%–30%. These panels are produced by Maxeon, formerly a subsidiary of SunPower, and are designed to work with each component of SunPower’s solar system.
Pros and Cons
Pros Has some of the highest efficiency rates on the market Includes a 25-year warranty that covers the entire system and components Produces in-house components designed to work together Cons Is more expensive than its competitors Limits its offerings to in-house and Maxeon products
Sunpower Solar Details

SunPower offers four Maxeon panel options, its own battery storage system, and Wallbox electric vehicle (EV) chargers. SunPower is more expensive than other providers, but this is because its products are so high-quality.

SunPower backs its solar offerings with a robust 25-year warranty. This covers all solar system elements, including storage, charging add-ons, and required maintenance.

Learn more: SunPower Solar review


Venture Solar Best Northeast Regional Installer
4.2
  • Why We Picked It: Venture Solar installs perfectly symmetrical solar systems with no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design offers a simple, stylish look tailored to the appearance of your roof.
Pros and Cons
Pros Adds a critter guard for extra protection against pests Creates clean-looking solar panel systems with its Venture Roof Jacks Includes a 25-year product warranty Cons Doesn’t include a workmanship warranty Doesn’t provide pricing information online
Venture Solar Details

Venture Solar’s in-house team helps with every step of the solar installation process, from a free consultation to design and permitting. Installations are typically completed in one day.

After your system has been inspected and activated, you can track your system’s performance and savings through Venture Solar’s in-home monitoring system. The company also installs critter guards on its solar panels for pest control.

Learn more: Venture Solar review


Palmetto Best Customer Support
4.4
  • Why We Picked It: Palmetto Solar provides ample customer support and protection for its solar energy solutions. It offers phone, email, and online support alongside a unique Peace of Mind Protection Plan. This add-on plan includes system monitoring, ongoing discounts, and other additional perks. It’s available to customers and non-customers alike.
Pros and Cons
Pros Includes a 25-year output warranty Offers a protection plan to Palmetto customers and other solar owners Provides an online solar savings calculator Cons Charges an additional fee for active monitoring Doesn’t offer leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs)
Palmetto Solar Details

Palmetto Solar’s Peace of Mind Protection Plan provides additional support and benefits following installation. The plan, also available to non-customers, includes 24/7 active monitoring and discounts on services such as solar panel cleaning and pest abatement.

Palmetto offers a full-service solar installation process, including permitting and inspections. Palmetto also provides an online tool that calculates your projected electric bill savings.

Learn more: Palmetto Solar review


Momentum Best Solar Panel Installation
4.4
  • Why We Picked It: Momentum Solar is ideal for anyone who feels intimidated by the solar process. The company uses a concierge service model that handles permitting paperwork and helps customers enroll in government savings and net-metering programs.
Pros and Cons
Pros Includes a 25-year warranty on parts and labor Offers seven solar panel brands for customization Partners with Enphase to offer a solar battery Cons Customer reviews mention difficulties scheduling installations Has limited pricing information online
Momentum Solar Details

Momentum Solar handles every step of the solar installation process in-house, from pricing and financing to system design and installation. The company also partners with various high-quality solar panel manufacturers to create custom solar systems.

Momentum has an interactive mobile tracking app that provides routine updates about the installation process and lets you set spending goals. The company frequently updates its blog with educational information.

Learn more: Momentum Solar review


Solanta Solar
4
  • Why We Picked It: Solanta Solar is exclusive to New York state, offering in-depth knowledge about local tax incentives and other location-specific details.
Pros and Cons
Pros Has Pearl Certification, which increases your home’s value Offers services tailored to home remodeling and home security systems Local to New York Cons Doesn’t offer pricing information online Has a more limited warranty than other providers
Venture Solar Details

Solanta Solar only operates in New York. Its representatives can advise you about reputable net-metering programs and state tax incentives in addition to handling permitting and inspections.

Solanta Solar provides several unique additional services, such as integrating solar panels for your home with home security systems and roof remodeling projects.


Solar Incentives in New York

New York offers plenty of solar incentives for homeowners transitioning to clean energy. We’ve listed some of the most popular New York solar incentives below. 

  • The NY-Sun Initiative: The NY-Sun Initiative offers increased rebates for households earning less than 80% of the median income in their area. The program requires minor, low-cost energy efficiency upgrades to your home. 
  • The Megawatt Block Incentive Structure: This incentive provides up to $1,000 for every kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed.
  • New York State Solar Equipment Tax Credit: This is a 25% state tax credit for home solar systems purchased in New York. The credit maxes out at a $5,000 reduction on state taxes. 
  • Solar Electric Generating System Tax Abatement (SEGS): SEGS offers a property tax exemption on the added home value from solar panels and solar storage systems. This is a four-year tax reduction of 5% of eligible expenditures. The maximum reduction is $62,500 per year for four years or the building’s annual tax liability, whichever is less.

New York homeowners can also take advantage of the federal solar tax credit. This federal tax credit equals 30% of your solar installation costs. You must install your solar system between 2022 and 2032 to qualify. The rate will decrease to 26% in 2033. If you owe less taxes than the credit, the unused credit will roll over to the next year.


Our Conclusion

Momentum Solar is not only one of the best solar providers in New York but also in the United States. The company offers an expansive customer support team and works with various solar panel manufacturers to create custom solar systems.

SunPower is an excellent option for those interested in maximizing their system’s efficiency. We recommend Solanta Solar if you want a company with extensive knowledge about New York’s local laws and incentives.

Get quotes from at least three providers to accurately compare solar panel costs and offerings. Use our tool below to get matched to top solar providers in New York.


FAQs About Solar Companies in New York


Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

  • Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
  • Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
  • Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
  • Financing options (15%)
  • Experience (10%)
  • Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.