NEW YORK
Solar in New York
At 165 days of sunshine per year,* New York spends less than half its year under sunny skies. Compared to other states, New York receives a below-average amount of sunshine. Solar panels in New York must withstand 62 inches of snow and 44 inches of rain annually, as well as extreme cold in the winter that gets down into the teens.
Regardless, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranks the state an outstanding fifth in the nation* for its renewable energy programs and policies. Given that 80% of New York’s buildings are solar viable,* the state is ready to reach its full solar-energy potential.
Solar potential in New York?
New York has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 5.2 hours of sunlight per day, which is above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that New York has a good potential for solar energy generation.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), New York ranks 10th* in the U.S. in terms of solar megawatt production, which provides nearly 3% of the state’s electricity and power 474,848 homes. New York also has over 145,000 solar installations, the most prominent being Long Island Solar Farm in Upton and Argos Solar LLC in Seneca. Information about other noteworthy solar installations is on SEIA’s website.
Cost of solar in New York?
The cost of a home solar system varies due to several factors, even within the same state, including:
A household’s energy needs
Weather
Roof space
The angle of the roof
Quality of the solar system’s panels and parts
In New York, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,850 to $39,050, or in other words, from $2.77 to $7.81 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Advantages?
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels can also help to make New York a more sustainable state.
State incentives: New York offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
New York state policies?
Net metering: New York has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to the grid at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemption: New York exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $10,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $10,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): New York offers Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Solar Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): New York has a solar RPS that requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from solar power. The RPS is currently set at 5.1%, and it is scheduled to increase to 10% by 2030. This policy is expected to help drive demand for solar panels in New York.
New York Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Act: The New York Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Act was passed in 2017. This law sets a number of goals for energy efficiency and renewable energy in New York, including:
Increasing energy efficiency by 20% by 2030
Generating 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030
Providing financial assistance to low-income households to make their homes more energy efficient
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) statistics show that as of April 2021, New York ranked 9th in the nation in terms of the average retail price of residential electricity.* In addition to all the other factors that drive the cost of living sky-high in the most populated areas of the state, the utility bills rank up there with the exorbitant costs of housing and transportation, at least in New York City.
Investing in solar panels can have a dramatic impact on your power bills. Solar equipment can last 25 years or more, saving system owners over $20K in energy costs over time. Using solar for electricity reduces CO2, improves air quality, and creates good jobs in a sustainable industry.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in New York? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in New York, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!