Solar for Residential Homes

The best roofs for solar are unshaded south-facing or flat roofs that are relatively new within the last ~10 years. The Solar One team can assist you with understanding if your roof is suitable for solar.

NYC is one of the most incentivized regions for individuals to go solar. If eligible, homeowners can take advantage of multiple tax incentives provided at the Federal, State, and City levels.

• The NY-SUN grant is a state rebate that is taken off the full project cost and allocated to the installer, lowering your project cost.
• The NY State Income Tax Credit is 25% of the project cost, capped at $5,000 for your primary residence.
• The Federal Income Tax Credit is 30% of the project cost.
• The NYC Property Tax Abatement is 30% of the project cost. This is a dedication to your property tax bill over 4 years.
• The NY State and Federal Income Tax Credits are based on your tax liability, so if you pay taxes to NYS and the Federal government you’ll likely be eligible for these incentives, however, confirming with your tax preparer is advised.

The cost of solar is dependent on the number of solar panels and associated equipment being installed on your roof. There are state loans that you can apply for to help cover the costs and other financing options. Solar One can help explain these options.

Your savings depend on your electricity usage and how many solar panels can be installed on your roof. During our analysis, we’ll request copies of your electric bills to determine your annual electricity usage. We’ll also estimate the number of solar panels that can fit on your roof and how much electricity they’ll produce in a year. Then we can determine how much of your electricity usage is covered by the solar panels and what your electricity savings will be.

On average, it takes about 5-6 months to have their system installed. The majority of that time is spent on designing & permitting to comply with NYC building, fire, and electric codes. The installation of the solar system typically only takes a few days and the electrical and building inspections, take about 1-2 weeks to schedule and execute.

Selecting a solar installer is up to you! Solar One works with several installers in NYC and we can share a list of recommendations and can help review any contracts or savings estimates solar installers share with you.

Solar One supports homeowners by providing technical assistance by reviewing roof conditions, analyzing utility bills, and being a liaison between homeowners and the selected solar installer.

No, per NYC regulations, solar does not allow homeowners to cancel their Con Edison service. The solar system and electricity must remain tied to Con Edison’s grid (an “on-grid” system).

Generally speaking, a solar system consists of solar panels, a mounting system, inverter(s), a conduit or pipe that runs from the roof to your electric room, and electrical wiring.

After the installation of the solar panels, the wires are placed in conduit which is usually a metal pipe. The conduit is mounted along the outside of the home, usually along the side or back of the house where the electrical room is located to be connected to the electric panel at the house.

The general lifespan of a solar system is calculated from between 20-25 years. There are a couple of warranties to be aware of. The solar panels have a 25-year performance warranty, the inverters have a 12-year warranty, and most installers have a 5-year workmanship warranty.

The panels themselves do not require any annual maintenance, the majority of dirt, leaves, or pollen accumulated by natural weathering should be removed by rainfall.

NYC does permit the installation of energy storage or batteries inside 1-4 family homes, however, the process is lengthy, and additional costs are associated. Solar One does not currently provide savings estimates for solar + energy storage, but you can discuss this option with your selected solar installer.