The best solar installers in New York
A geographically balanced top 5 spanning Long Island, NYC, the Hudson Valley/Finger Lakes, and Western NY — so homeowners across the state have a local-to-them option in the top picks. For other regions, see the Honorable mentions below.
SUNation Energy Local
Why listed: Operating since 2003 — voted Long Island's best solar company for 13+ consecutive years. NYSERDA Gold Quality Installer (the highest QSI tier in NY) with deep PSEG-LI/LIPA permitting expertise. Publicly traded (Nasdaq: SUNE) with in-house install crews — important for warranty work over a 25-year system life.
EmPower Solar Local
Why listed: Operating since 2003 with 4,000+ residential and commercial installations across Long Island and the NYC metro. NYSERDA-approved, NABCEP-certified, and a Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer. Strong reputation for design quality and long-term service — a solid alternative to SUNation on Long Island.
Brooklyn SolarWorks Local
Why listed: The dominant NYC-specialist installer for rowhouse and brownstone solar — designed and patented the elevated "solar canopy" that puts panels on flat NYC roofs above bulkheads and HVAC equipment. B-Corp certified, NYSERDA QSI, and unmatched at navigating NYC DOB permitting and FDNY rapid-shutdown rules. The right pick if you live in any of the five boroughs.
Halco Local
Why listed: Family-owned since 1984, one of the longest-tenured residential energy contractors in upstate NY. Solar plus geothermal, heat pumps, and home performance — useful if you're electrifying the whole home. NYSERDA QSI status; covers the Rochester-Syracuse-Finger Lakes corridor that downstate installers won't drive to.
Solar Liberty Local
Why listed: Founded 2003 in Buffalo — the largest residential solar installer headquartered in Western NY. NYSERDA-approved with thousands of installs across National Grid and NYSEG territory. Strong choice for homeowners west of Syracuse where most downstate firms won't service.
National installers National
Sunrun, Tesla Energy, and Palmetto Solar are the major national installers still actively taking new New York residential contracts as of 2026. Palmetto Solar currently holds EnergySage's Elite+ tier — the platform's highest installer rating. National installers typically have larger sales footprints but also higher financing markup and more variable local service quality than the state-based installers above.
Avoid — recently bankrupt or exited: Sunnova (Chapter 11 June 2025), the original SunPower (Chapter 11 August 2024 — the current "SunPower Inc." is rebranded Complete Solaria, a separate company), ADT Solar (exited residential solar January 2024 — warranty service only), and Freedom Forever (Chapter 11 April 2026). If a salesperson contacts you under any of these brand names, ask which legal entity is actually signing the contract and warranty.
For the complete list of national installers with state coverage maps, financing terms, and ratings:
New York solar economics in 2026
| Metric | New York average |
|---|---|
| Average residential rate | $0.21–$0.25 / kWh |
| Typical 8 kW system cost (cash) | $22,000–$28,000 before incentives |
| Average $/W | $2.75–3.50 |
| Average annual production (kWh per kW) | ~1,150–1,300 kWh/kW/year |
| Net metering structure | Net metering (Value of Distributed Energy Resources, VDER) — close to full retail credit |
| Average cash payback | 10–12 years |
For full state-by-state cost comparison see solar cost by state.
New York solar incentives and rebates (2026)
New York stacks federal credit pathways (commercial Section 48E for businesses and third-party-owned residential), state-level credits/rebates where applicable, statutory tax exemptions, and utility-specific programs. Below is the 2026 picture with links to authoritative sources.
Federal credits (2026)
- Commercial Section 48E (Clean Electricity Investment Credit): Available to businesses, farms, and to third-party owners in lease/PPA structures (which can pass the benefit through as lower monthly payments). FEOC restrictions apply — see FEOC rules guide and FEOC compliant parts list. IRS — Clean Electricity Investment Credit.
- USDA REAP grants (agricultural / rural small business): Up to 50% of project cost, with low-interest loan guarantees on top. Quarterly application windows. "Before you build" rules — you must apply before construction starts. USDA — REAP Program.
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible EV charging equipment + installation costs at qualifying locations. Expires for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. IRS — 30C Credit.
New York state-level incentives
- NY State Solar Tax Credit: 25% of system cost, capped at $5,000 (NY Tax Law §606(g-1)). For principal residence; carry-forward up to 5 years.
- NY-Sun (NYSERDA): Block-tier per-watt incentive that steps down as capacity is enrolled. 2026 block status varies by region (Upstate / ConEd / LIPA).
- Property tax exemption: NY RPTL §487 — local option 15-year exemption; most municipalities have opted in.
- Sales tax: Solar PV equipment exempt from state sales tax (Tax Law §1115).
Net metering & utility programs in New York
NY transitioned to Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) for systems above certain sizes; small residential still gets NEM at retail. See also net metering explained.
- Con Edison (NYC): NEM / VDER. NYC also has 5%/year for 4 years Property Tax Abatement www.coned.com
- National Grid: NEM / VDER www.nationalgridus.com
- NYSEG / RG&E: NEM / VDER www.nyseg.com
- LIPA / PSEG-LI: Long Island NEM with NY-Sun adders www.psegliny.com
New York city-level programs
- NYC: Property Tax Abatement: 5%/year for 4 years on solar PV (effective 30% of system cost in tax savings). link
New York battery storage incentives
NY-Sun Energy Storage Incentive: Block-tier battery rebate ($/kWh varies by region; verify current block status).
New York EV charger and EV-purchase incentives (2026)
- State EV purchase rebate: Drive Clean Rebate: Up to $2,000 for new EV from a participating dealer (verify 2026).
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible equipment + installation in qualifying low-income / non-urban census tracts. Expires June 30, 2026 for property placed in service after that date.
- Many New York utilities and cooperatives offer Level 2 EV charger rebates ($150–$800 typical) often tied to TOU enrollment or smart-charger requirements. Check directly with your specific utility.
Authoritative sources to verify before signing
- NYSERDA: www.nyserda.ny.gov
- DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency): programs.dsireusa.org/system/program?state=NY — searchable national database, kept current by NC State.
- Federal IRS guidance: irs.gov — Clean Electricity Investment Credit
What to verify before signing in New York
- Contractor license: Verify with your state contractor licensing authority before signing.
- NABCEP certification: Most reputable installers carry NABCEP-certified installers on staff. Ask which crew member holds the certification.
- Insurance: General liability + workers comp + roofer's insurance separate from electrical insurance.
- References from your county: Permitting and inspection requirements vary. Ask for 2–3 references from your specific county.
- Get at least three bids: Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Got bids from New York installers? Compare them properly.
Upload up to four solar proposals from any New York installer. The analyzer compares $/W, production estimates, equipment, and financing structure — and tells you which one to sign.
Analyze My Bids →Honorable mentions
Additional installers worth getting a quote from — strong NY-based alternatives and regional installers that serve New York from neighboring states.
Other New York-based installers
Venture Solar Local
Why listed: NYC-headquartered residential installer with strong roof-attachment engineering for older NYC housing stock. EnergySage-screened, NYSERDA-approved, with crews on both sides of the Hudson.
NY State Solar Local
Why listed: NYSERDA-approved contractor specializing in customized residential PV. Strong NYC permitting expertise — useful given NYC's unique DOB inspection and FDNY rapid-shutdown requirements.
Mpower Solar Local
Why listed: NYC- and Long Island-focused residential and small commercial installer. NYSERDA Quality Solar Installer with active ESCO operations (so familiar with both supply and behind-the-meter compliance).
Brooklyn SolarWorks Local
Why listed: Brooklyn-headquartered NYC-specialist installer founded 2015 with 3,000+ residential installs across the five boroughs. Specializes in complex urban installations including flat roofs, landmarked homes, multifamily buildings, and co-ops, managing the entire process end-to-end. Strong pick for the inspection-heavy NYC permitting process.
Regional installers serving New York
Worth a quote if you're near a state border, but expect longer drive times for service calls than a fully NY-based installer.
Trinity Solar Regional
Why listed: Large NJ-HQ regional with 100,000+ Northeast installs and significant NY presence — particularly downstate. Has a meaningful complaint trail given its sales volume; get a written project timeline, a fixed cash price, and the SREC/NEM registration commitment in writing before signing.
Lumina Solar Regional
Why listed: Mid-Atlantic regional installer with coverage extending into Southern Tier NY (Binghamton, Elmira). Reasonable backup option for border-zone homeowners.
Tip: NYSERDA's NY-Sun program is the dominant residential incentive vehicle, and the contractor MUST be NYSERDA-approved for you to receive the rebate. Some QSI (Quality Solar Installer) contractors get bonus dealer incentives that they can pass through. Always ask whether the installer is NYSERDA-approved AND whether they hold the QSI designation.
Frequently asked questions about New York solar
Does solar make sense in New York?
Yes for most homeowners with a $150+ monthly electric bill, an unshaded roof, and 8+ years of expected ownership. New York's specific economics are summarized in the table above.
How much does a typical New York solar install cost in 2026?
$22,000–$28,000 for an 8 kW system before incentives. Effective net cost depends on your state and utility incentives.
Should I get more than three bids?
Yes — three is a minimum. Four or five is better. Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Are there other reputable New York solar installers besides these?
Many. The list above represents installers with strong public profiles in New York; reputable installers exist beyond it. Get bids from a mix and compare them objectively rather than relying on any one list.