New York solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels
New York State 53 solar panels available
- $2.50 / W Average gross price of a solar power system as of January 2023
- 8 years Average system payback period
- $44 873 Average savings from going solar in New York
- 9 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
- 3.88 kW Recommended system size
Benefit from a PV system
in New York
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4.62 hours of peak sunlight
New York may not be the sunniest state, but a PV system will still help you cut your electricity bills
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8 years payback period
A solar power system in New York pays for itself a couple of times during its lifespan
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Save money with Net Metering
The electricity you canât consume can be put to good use. The utility will pay for it if you export it to the grid
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Reduce the cost of your system by 26%
Get a quarter of the PV system cost off your taxes with the Federal Solar Tax Credit
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Knock off another quarter of the costs
You can recover another 25% of the costs via New York Solar Equipment Tax Credit
New York #36 in the US
Solar Ranking
- $44 873 Average savings from going solar in New York
- 6 924 kWh/year Average electricity consumption of a FL household
- 7 115 kWh/year AC energy output of a 5 kW solar system installed in New York
- 18 ¢ /kWh The cost of electricity today in New York
- 38 ¢ /kWh The forecast average utility price over the next 25 years
- $2.5/WAverage gross price of a solar power system as of January 2023
There are 2 fulfillment centers in New York
What our happy customers say


and I contacted A1. Everything was processed, packed and delivered to Fresno, CA
in under a week. We kept in contact during the installation and I got a few additional
parts from them. A1SolarStore deserves a solid five stars!


Price was reasonable even with shipping added. Actually, it was the best I could find with the panels I wanted.
Customer service was beyond expectations. I received a phone call after the order to verify everything. The rep also went over receiving instructions. I got an email with recieving procedure. I got a follow up call the day before the panels were to be delivered. The day of delivery, the FedEx call also called. I got a follow call afterwards verifying everything was good.I had 8 350 watt panels shipped. They arrived via FedEx on a pallet. Recieving instructions said to not sign the recieving doc until I inspected everything. I am half paralyzed so I asked my neighbor ahead of time to help unpack the panels to inspect for physical damage. The FedEx guy dropped the pallet in my driveway and handed me the package list and then he very quickly left before I was able to inspect the panels. He said he did not need a signature. My mindset immidiately turned negative since fraud, burglary, murders, etc are now legal, encouraged, and even rewarded in the US. To my relief, the panels turned out to be in good shape.
I have had several different panels prior to ordering from A1 Solar. I am used to solar panels outputting 70% or less of the rated output.I hooked up one panel yesterday and I was getting over 85% at 9:30 AM in direct sun output which really suprised me. This number is what the charge controller reported while charging a 12 volt battery bank. My current project that these panels will be used for is my second offgrid system.
Next year after I have my house electrical panels rebuilt to allow for a whole house battery bank, I will be ordering another 7KWH in panels and I plan to order those from A1 Solar Store.


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Solar laws, incentives and rebates in New York you need to know
Save 30% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit
The US government wants more people to go solar: itâs a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.
Save additional 25% with New York Solar Equipment Tax Credit
You can reduce your state tax credit by up to $5,000 or 25% from your total solar system expenses through a Claim for Solar Energy System Equipment Credit. This program applies to new and already installed systems, also qualifying if you went solar on a lease or through a PPA. The energy system must be installed and used at your primary residence in New York. Any credit amount in excess of the tax due can be carried over for up to five years. Keep in mind, however, that solar energy system equipment credit is not refundable.
Sell excess electricity with Net Metering Program

The Net Metering policy in New York has made it easier for utility customers to sell excess solar power instead of storing the energy in batteries. Your PV system will start to pay for itself primarily through the Net Metering program by selling solar energy that you havenât used into the commercial grid and gain credits from your utility company for it.Â
The credit value in New York is equal to your utility retail rate per kWh. Any unused credits will roll over to the next month and begin to accumulate in your âcredit bankâ. You can draw energy from there when your solar system generates less electricity than needed to zero out your bills.
One of the top Net Metering programs in New York is offered by National Grid. To get started you must first submit an application and only install your solar system once you receive interconnection acceptance. After your system is set up, it will be verified and tested to receive final approval.
Raise your property value but not your taxes

New York PV System owners can avoid paying additional property taxes on the added value their solar system brings to their home by applying for a solar system tax exemption. This certificate will ensure any new PV system installed and its equipment will not be part of your property tax. Additionally, any such home improvement will definitely make it about 4% more valuable on the property market, says the 2019 Zillow report.
Finance your solar system through NY-Sun
NY-Sun offers a financing program known as Affordable Solar for loans anywhere from $1,500 to $25,000. The payback terms are 5, 10, or 15 years. This program is for homeowners with incomes below 80% of the median income in the state. Small commercial and non-profit organizations are also eligible for low-interest financing. Find more information here.
Protect your solar panels from shade with Solar Easements

A solar easement contract is a written agreement between you and another party, for example, your neighbor. This type of contract helps to ensure that your PV system will always have adequate sun exposure, protecting you from potential obstacles. It is voluntary, but can not be canceled unless a specific clause is included in the document. Once signed, it is tied to the land, not the owner.
Get a permit to install your solar panels in New York
It is legal to install solar panels on your house in New York, but all solar installations require a NY State Unified Solar permit and it is recommended to search for the permit from your city. There is no statewide legislation that makes it unlawful to restrict the installation of solar PV systems. So, itâs best to contact your homeownerâs association (HOAs) to be certain of any regulations that may be in your area. You may have to submit your project for approval before changing the exterior of your house. The board may ask you to hide the system from view, reduce the number of panels or just reject your proposal.
Solar panels help New Yorkers survive hurricanes
Located right on the east coast, New York residents should always be prepared for a hurricane. Â Solar panels are manufactured to withstand most hurricanes, and in any power outage, solar panels will help you survive a blackout. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy left 153,000 Con Ed customers without power across New York. As stated by the Environmental Protection Agency our climate is changing and natural disasters are becoming more frequent. Powering your home with solar energy you will no longer have to worry about blackouts.