Can you put solar panels on historic homes in NYC?

Yes, installing solar panels on historic homes in NYC is entirely possible! New York City has some of the most stringent historic preservation rules in the country, and as a result many solar companies shy away from touching historic homes.

As the NYC local solar experts, we’ve figured out the permitting and design methods needed to make the solar process a breeze, even for historic and landmarked homes. Read on to learn more about the process of going solar for historic homes.

Benefits of Solar for Historic and Landmarked Homes

Installing solar panels on historic and landmarked homes in NYC offers numerous advantages that align with both environmental and financial goals.

Reduce and Stabilize Energy Costs

Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, which decreases reliance on the grid. This leads to much lower energy bills and provides a more predictable energy cost structure, protecting homeowners from rising electricity rates.

Net metering can further offset costs by crediting homeowners for excess energy sent back to the grid, resulting in electricity savings throughout the year.

Boost Property Value

Research done by Zillow indicates that installing solar energy systems does increase the value of your home. Prospective buyers are increasingly attracted to properties with solar panels and other environmentally friendly features due to the promise of reduced energy bills, environmental benefits, and the potential for long-term savings.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that home value increases by $20 for every $1 saved on electricity bills. With NYC’s high energy costs, solar panels can lead to significant energy cost reductions, further boosting value.

Installing solar panels on your historic property boosts its value without sacrificing its architectural integrity.

Enhance Sustainability

With its ambitious sustainable development goals, New York City is making major strides towards becoming a sustainable city. By installing solar panels on your historical home, you not only contribute to environmental preservation but also align with broader sustainability goals while reducing your own carbon footprint.

Claim Tax Incentives

New York City has some of the best financial incentives for residential solar in the country, covering between 75-95% of your costs. When it comes to solar tax credits in NYC, there’s the NYC Solar Property Tax Abatement (PTA), NYS Solar Income Tax Credit and the NYS Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC).

The NYC PTA allows NYC homeowners to claim 30% of solar energy system costs as a property tax abatement with the NYC Department of Finance. The NYS solar income tax credit gives a $5000 state tax credit for New York residents that install a solar PV system on their primary residence. The HTC gives homes that qualify an additional 20% income tax credit from NYS.

Want to see what solar tax credits and incentives your home is eligible for? Sign up for a free solar consultation today and see what you can save!

Challenges of Installing Solar Panels on Historic Homes

Navigating the installation of solar panels in NYC is challenging. We’ve mastered the process, but historic and landmarked homes have an additional layer of regulations that we have to navigate.

City and State Regulations

Historic homes in NYC face strict regulations imposed by both city and state authorities. Solar installations must adhere to guidelines ensuring that panels are not visible from street level, maintaining the historic character of neighborhoods. Compliance with these rules requires careful planning and design to integrate solar technology without altering the home’s appearance.

Preserving Architectural Integrity

Preserving the architectural integrity of historic homes is crucial. Solar installations must respect the original design elements and materials, avoiding any impact on the building’s historical significance.

This often necessitates customized solutions, such as using low-profile panels and innovative mounting systems, to ensure that the home’s unique aesthetic is maintained while still benefiting from renewable energy. We’ve created the perfect solar mounting system called the tilt rack that brings solar power to the flat roofs of historic homes without being seen from the front.

Who Administers Approvals for Solar Installations on Historic and Landmarked Homes?

Approval for solar installations on historic properties involves coordination with specific government agencies to ensure compliance with preservation standards.

NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) oversees modifications to landmarked properties in the city. Their role is to ensure that solar installations do not compromise the historic character of buildings. This involves reviewing proposals to ensure that panels are discreetly placed and do not detract from architectural features. The LPC requires detailed plans and may suggest design adjustments to align with preservation guidelines.

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) also plays a critical role in approving solar projects on historic properties. They ensure compliance with state-level preservation standards, focusing on maintaining the property’s historical integrity. The office reviews proposals for aesthetic impact and provides guidance on modifications to ensure that solar installations are sympathetic to the property’s heritage and appearance.

This agency is also responsible for administering the NYS Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit, which gives qualifying historic homeowners a 20% income tax credit for eligible home improvement expenses (including solar installation).

Solar Installation Solutions for Historic Homes

Innovative solutions make solar installations feasible for historic homes without compromising their character. We’ve developed a streamlined process for installing solar on historic and landmarked properties.

Zero Visibility Installations 

To preserve the aesthetic appeal of historic properties, zero visibility installations are essential. Our tilt rack solar systems can be installed with zero visibility from street level by using low-profile mounting systems and strategic positioning. This ensures that the solar panels blend seamlessly with the home’s design, maintaining its historic charm.

Conduit Run

In order to connect your solar system to your home’s electrical panel, we have to run conduit from the roof to the basement of the home. When we design your system, we’ll include a conduit run that meets landmarked and historic visibility requirements.

Want to see if your home is eligible for solar? Get a free consultation today!

Streamlined Permitting Process

We’ve been the local solar installer for NYC since 2015. Over the years we’ve developed strong relationships with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

This expertise allows us to navigate the complex permitting process efficiently. Our familiarity with regulatory requirements ensures smoother approvals, making solar installations on historic homes more accessible and less time-consuming.

Taking Advantage of the NYS Historic Tax Credit

All New Yorkers qualify for 75% or more of their project costs to be covered by government incentives. But certain historic areas also qualify for an additional 20% income tax credit from New York State, bringing project savings up to 90-95% for qualified homes.

Do I Qualify for the Tax Credit?

The New York State Historic Tax Credit eligibility criteria depends on the home’s historic significance as well as the income level of its location. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for property owners seeking to leverage this incentive.

You can claim this credit if you:

• restore a qualified historic home in New York State
• purchase a restored qualified historic home in New York State.

A qualified historic home must be a residential structure that’s owner-occupied (including condos and co-ops) that appears on the State or National Register of Historic Places, or resides within a state or nationally registered historic district. Additionally, it should be certified as having historical significance within that district.

Your homes also must be located in:

• a federal qualified census tract or area of chronic economic distress, or
• a census tract that is at 100% or below the state family median income level, or
• a city with a population of less than one million with a poverty rate greater than 15%.

How do I File for the Tax Credit?

Filing for the NY State Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Credit is a multi-step process:

1. APPLICATION PROCESS: Property owners must complete the appropriate forms and submit them to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The application process involves providing details of the rehabilitation project, expenses, and adherence to preservation standards. (If you work with us to go solar, we’ll help you through this step.)
2. PROJECT APPROVAL: After the appropriate documents have been approved, project work can begin.
3. PROJECT COMPLETION & CREDIT FILING: Once the project is completed and certified, you’ll need to file for the credit. This will be done with your New York State income tax filing.

If you’re looking to go solar with us, we will help you through the application process. And we’ll even send out reminders for tax season, too. Learn more about our process by scheduling a free consultation.

Enjoy the Benefits of Solar for Your Historic Home

Going solar is easier than you think, even if you live in a historic or landmarked home. When you work with us, we’ll make the entire process a breeze and you’ll be enjoying the benefits of clean energy in no time. Join over 3,000 of your neighbors and get started with us today.

Learn how your historic home could save 90% on project costs with a free consultation.