LeafScore’s top rated solar companies in NY state for 2023.
New York is one of the top ten states in the country for solar adoption, and there are quite a few reasons going solar makes sense for many New Yorkers. The state sees between 4.0 and 5.0 kWh per m2 every day, which is plenty for most residents to generate sufficient energy to offset their consumption. The state also has a wealth of solar incentives, solar rebates, and financing options available that make the conversion more affordable and valuable.
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Our goal at LeafScore is to provide homeowners interested in solar all of the information they need to make an informed decision about which solar provider suits them best. We’ve reviewed dozens of local, regional, and national installation companies that serve the Empire State and have narrowed down the 150+ options for you.
Our recommendations below all have NABCEP-certified technicians on their installation teams, are reliable and communicative with a history of positive customer service, and, most importantly, are participating members of the NY-Sun Program through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
How We Select the Best Solar Installers in New York
- Has at least five years of experience in the local solar industry, or a minimum of 24 completed installations
- Maintains worker’s comp and general liability insurance coverage
- Has no complaints that have gone unresponded to through the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Employs NABCEP-certified technicians
- Offers at least the industry standard for warranty coverage, including a 20-year equipment warranty and 10-year coverage for performance and workmanship
- Is a member of the NY-Sun program through NYSERDA
- Isn’t involved in any lawsuits
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Why Trust This List?
We personally know how intimidating it can be to choose a solar installer, so we go to great lengths to make sure the installers we recommend are reputable, properly licensed, and insured. This is especially important for New Yorkers, as there are no statewide requirements for solar contractor licensing.
Most municipalities in NY do require that solar installers hold either a home improvement license or an electrical license. We rule out any companies that don’t hold the proper licensing in the counties and cities they serve.
We also put a lot of emphasis on the NY-Sun Contractor license through NYSERDA, as this means the installer has NABCEP certification, has journeyman certification from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and National Electrical Contractors Association (IBEW-NECA), or has been certified by Underwriters Labs (UL) Solutions.
The NY-Sun program appears to be spearheaded by Candace Rossi, a senior project manager at NYSERDA for NY-Sun. However, you can check the NYSERDA certification of any installer in NY on the organization’s online contractor search, or contact NYSERDA at info@nyserda.ny.gov or 866-697-3732 for more information.
LeafScore Top Picks for Solar Installers in New York
Empower Solar
Highlights: Empower Solar is one of the leading solar installation companies on Long Island. The company has been serving New Yorkers since 2003, so it has two decades of experience. In that time, it has maintained overwhelmingly positive reviews, many of which mention the company’s attention to detail, communication, and outstanding customer service.
Empower works exclusively with SunPower solar panels, which have one of the highest efficiency ratings in the industry, topping out at around 22.8%.
SunPower panels from Empower include a free solar monitoring app and an industry-leading warranty package aptly named the SunPower Complete Confidence Warranty. It includes 25 years of coverage for the equipment, the workmanship, and the panel efficiency, providing complete peace of mind.
To instill even more confidence in consumers, Empower is named as a NYSERDA Quality Installer, and the technicians are truly knowledgeable about the systems they sell and install. They can help navigate local solar incentives and net metering programs to help maximize your savings.
In addition to installing panels, Empower handles solar battery installations and electric vehicle chargers.
You can check out a personal testimonial for Empower on Long Island for a look at the process, service, and performance specifications for a system from this installer.
SUNation Energy
Highlights: SUNation Energy is a locally-owned solar company that services all of Long Island. It has been in business since 2003, just like Empower, so it has 20 years of localized experience.
SUNation maintains outstanding reviews on most online platforms, including Google Reviews, Yelp, and BBB. It also has no unresolved complaints with the BBB, it is a BBB-accredited company, and it has an A+ rating. Most importantly, SUNation has maintained its NYSERDA Gold Quality Installer certification for several years now, indicating a commitment to quality.
SUNation works only with tier-one panel brands, including Solaria, Panasonic, and REC. It doesn’t offer SunPower panels at this time, so panel efficiency will be a bit lower on average than what you’d find from Empower. In addition to solar panel installation, this provider also tackles solar batteries, roofing, community solar, and commercial solar projects.
SUNation’s warranty coverage includes a 25-year production and performance guarantee, a 25-year warranty for the inverter installed on your home, and a comprehensive 25-year warranty that covers the panels and labor.
Empire Solar
Highlights: Empire Solar is one of the best solar providers that services the Hudson Valley. It has been in business since 2015, so it has eight years of service and experience in the area.
Empire Solar is listed as a NYSERDA Gold Quality Installer on NYSERDA’s website, and it has mostly positive customer reviews online. It has an A rating with the BBB and no unresolved complaints. Several of the complaints filed on BBB’s website are for a different company that goes by a similar name, so be aware of that if you do read through them.
Empire Solar carries some top-tier equipment brands, including Solar Edge, SMA, LG, Hanwha, and Canadian Solar. It installs panels only, so it’s not ideal for those looking for battery backups or other products. It does have some non-traditional services available, including tree removal, roofing (the company is a GAF-certified roofer), and electrical upgrades.
Empire Solar’s warranty coverage doesn’t quite match that of Empower or SUNation, but it’s still quite good. It covers equipment and production for 25 years, as well as workmanship for 15 years.
New York State Solar Farm
Highlights: New York State Solar Farm is a relatively small local solar installer that serves 19 counties in Upstate New York. The company was founded back in 2008, and it has since completed over 4,000 residential solar installations.
Much like Empower, this installer only offers SunPower panels to its customers, maximizing panel efficiency and production capability. Of course, this also means you get the comprehensive SunPower warranty package, including 25 years of coverage for the equipment, the installation labor, and the panel efficiency.
New York State Solar Farm goes above and beyond to provide outstanding customer service and reliability. Not only is it known to be communicative throughout the entire planning and installation process, but it has excellent reviews online, an A+ BBB rating, and is listed as a NYSERDA Gold Quality Installer.
This provider installs rooftop panels, ground-mounted systems, solar batteries, and EV chargers, making it an all-in-one solar solution for New Yorkers.
Kasselman Solar
Highlights: Kasselman Solar is a subsidiary of Kasselman Electric, which has been providing electrical services in New York since 1948. The company has carried out only a handful of installations on Long Island, but it has an impressive presence throughout the rest of New York State.
Kasselman Solar is a NYSERDA Gold Quality Installer, which means it holds itself to higher standards than are required by the state. It employs NABCEP-certified technicians that are knowledgeable and trustworthy. Based on customer testimonials, the techs are helpful when it comes to applying for interconnection and solar incentives to help keep costs down.
This provider has a long-standing record of positive customer reviews, with many homeowners raving about the quality of service and communication. It has an A+ rating with the BBB and has no complaints filed that have gone without a direct response from the company.
Kasselman installs solar panels and batteries from industry leaders like Longi, LG, and Solar Edge. It currently doesn’t offer any other services, like EV charger installation or solar roofing.
Additional Company Recommendations in New York
Since our goal is to provide you with the best installation company recommendations possible, we’ll continue working hard to update this list. We’ll be including more company recommendations in the future, and we’ll also update any of the entries above if anything changes with the products or services offered.