Solar at Home

Solar (Photovoltaics) Panels

Solar panels provide energy to your home using one of our most abundant resources: the sun. Using energy from the sun is good for our planet and the air we breathe, and the cost of installing solar panels has decreased dramatically. Some homeowners can even earn money by selling extra power back to the grid.

Benefits of residential solar panels

You can install solar panels on your roof (roof top) or property (ground mount). Solar panels are best for homes that get a lot of sun throughout the year.

  • Saving money through reduced electricity bills

  • Clean, local, and dependable energy

  • Creating stability during periods of electric rate changes

  • Contributing to a cleaner and healthier community by reducing your carbon footprint

  • Accessing federal, State, and local tax credits for eligible solar projects

FAQs

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  • Yes - New York is great for solar! We may have more cloud cover than other places, but New York State is one of the leaders in residential solar adoption. It helps that New York state has some of the best solar incentives in the country!

  • Solar panels don't have many moving parts, so maintenance is minimal. The most important maintenance is to address dirt and debris when it builds up on the panels.

Tip: We recommend getting an energy audit and trying to reduce your energy use before exploring solar. Once your home is sealed and insulated and you’re using efficient technologies you may need less solar to meet your needs.

Efficiency of Solar Panels

“Efficiency” in this case means how much of the sunlight that is hitting the panel is converted into usable electricity. And good news! Over the past several years, solar panels have become more and more efficient, with most residential solar panels having an efficiency rate of around 15-20%.

How many solar panels do I need?

Working with one of our vetted solar contractors is the best way to find out how many solar panels you need. Factors like your energy use, the number of sunlight hours in your area, the size of your roof, and how much sunlight your roof gets will all influence how many panels you need. 15-20 solar panels is a typical number in New York State.

Cost of solar panels 

The cost of solar panels for your home will depend on your household energy use, how much space you have on your roof, the number of sunlight hours your roof gets, and efficiency of the system you plan to install. Incentives can help lower the cost, and don’t forget to factor in reduced electricity bills.

Tax credits for solar panels

There are incentives and financing options to lower the cost of buying and installing solar at home. When you purchase a solar system for your home, incentives can typically cover up to 60-65% of the system’s cost. When you work with a NYSERDA participating contractor, they can help find out which incentives you are eligible for.

Are solar panels worth it?

A vetted contractor can evaluate the suitability of your home for solar panels using factors like amount of direct sunlight exposure time, tree cover, and the direction your home is facing. An estimate of how much energy your panels would be likely to generate is included in preliminary quotes.

For many people, installing solar panels can be a great investment! In many instances, a solar panel system will save consumers enough money year over year to pay back the cost of installation after 10 years. If you use less electricity than your solar panels produce, that excess electricity you produce that month becomes a credit on your next electricity bill (though you may still have to pay other charges and fees).

Community Solar

Solar panels might not make sense where you live, but Community Solar is another great option. Instead of being installed on your roof, solar panels are installed at an off-site solar farm. Community Solar allows you to subscribe and receive credits on your regular electric bill for the clean energy produced on these farms.