NYC Solar Panel Installation Process: What to Expect

Thinking about installing solar panels for your home in New York City? With the right team by your side, it’s a seamless process.

At Brooklyn SolarWorks, we specialize in solar system installation for brownstones, townhouses, condos, and co-ops in New York City. Our team handles everything, from permitting and approvals to installation and inspections, making your transition to solar energy easy and stress-free.

This guide will walk you through every step of the solar installation process so you know exactly what to expect.

Step-by-Step Solar Installation Process

1. Free Assessment

The first step is a free, virtual assessment. During this call, one of our specialists will see if your home is a good fit for solar. We’ll discuss your electricity needs, tax incentives, financing options, and answer any other questions you have.  Having your energy bill handy will be helpful during this call to get a sense of your energy needs.

2. Custom Proposal

We’ll create a custom proposal for your solar system, tailored to your home and electricity needs. You’ll learn how much electricity your solar panels will generate and what your expected payback period is. You’ll also see design details so you can visualize what your panels will look like on your roof.  When you’re ready, you’ll sign a Letter of Intent and submit a refundable deposit to kick off your project!

3. Site Visit

We will visit your home to do a quick in-person site visit to check for any changes we may need to make to the original design.  We will also complete an in-depth engineering review to make sure that the system we design is compliant with FDNY regulations and DOB permitting regulations.

4. Final Design & Contract

With the information from the site visit, we will finalize the design and your financing options. When you’re ready to move forward, you’ll sign a contract, and we can begin permitting! At this stage, you will be assigned a project manager who will guide you every step of the way from permitting to installation and inspection.

5. Permitting

To go solar in New York City, you need building and electrical permits from the Department of Buildings. We handle this entire process for you.

If your home is landmarked, you’ll also need approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. We’ll handle this process for you as well. We’ve installed solar panels on hundreds of landmarked and historic homes with strategic designs like low-profile tilt racks that keep your solar panels invisible from the street.

Our customer portal tracks the entire permitting process, so you can follow along easily.

6. Installation

Our in-house team will arrive at the scheduled time to install your solar panels. We’ll need access to your roof, basement, and yard space for this step of the process. We work efficiently and complete most installations in just one day.

Once installation is complete, your system will be turned on and begin producing clean power right away. At this point, you’ll receive your final invoice.

7. Inspections

Although your system is already producing electricity after installation, it can’t receive net metering credits until it passes inspection with the Department of Buildings (DOB).  We’ll handle scheduling and be present for the inspection day so you won’t need to worry. Once your system is approved with “Permission to Operate,” it can be interconnected with the electric grid.

At this stage, your home will start to benefit from net metering, which lets you bank kWh credits with ConEd so you can save on energy at night and in the winter months when the sun isn’t shining.

8. Tax Season

You claim your federal and New York state solar tax credits when you file your taxes for the year you install your solar panels. We’ll provide the forms and documentation you need, and recommend that you bring these to a tax professional. We will also file your NY Tax Abatement automatically for you, so you have one less thing to worry about.

Heads Up! The federal solar tax credit is expiring at the end of 2025. Time is running out to start your installation in time to claim your 30% credit. Don’t miss out on the opportunity—schedule your free consultation with Brooklyn SolarWorks today.

How Long Does It Take to Install Solar Panels?

We complete most residential installations in just one day. If your project is complex, it might take 2-3 days. The entire solar panel process typically takes about 3 months to complete. Most of this time is spent on permitting. The installation itself is quick.

What Happens After You Install Solar Panels?

Once your solar installation is complete, there isn’t much for you to worry about. Solar panels are low-maintenance and work behind the scenes to generate clean electricity for your home without much oversight.

Here’s what you can expect post-solar panel installation in New York City.

Immediate Electric Bill Savings

Before Installing Solar: January 2025 Electricity Bill with $622.97 Charge

After Installing Solar: July 2025 Electricity Bill with $47.10 Charge

Your solar panels will start generating electricity as soon as we turn the system on. They’ll power your home directly, reducing the amount of electricity you have to buy from Con Ed and saving you money every month.

Any excess electricity your panels generate will be sent to the electric grid. A bi-directional electric meter keeps track of the power you send to the grid so you can receive your net metering credits. These credits offset the cost of electricity you buy from Con Ed when your solar panels are not producing electricity.

Easy System Monitoring

We’ll set your system up for monitoring the same day we install it. You can monitor your system in real time from any device with a WiFi connection. You’ll be able to see how much electricity you’re generating and, if a problem arises, you’ll be notified right away.

Long-Term Warranty Protection & Production Guarantee

We back your solar system installation with an industry leading 30-year warranty. Plus, we provide a 10-year production guarantee for added peace of mind. If your solar panels produce less than we promised, we’ll pay you the Con Ed rate for the difference for a full ten years.

Take the first step toward cleaner, more affordable electricity. Call 929-977-0058 or schedule a free assessment today.