Solar for Residential Homes in NYC
If you’ve been told by other contractors that solar won’t work for your home, you’re not alone. But installing solar on challenging New York City roofs is our specialty.
When you go solar with us, you’ve got options — we make solar work for you.
Solar for All Types of Residential Homes
Flat Roofs
We make flat roof solar a reality in NYC with our years of expertise and unique design options.
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Historic Homes
Historic and landmark designated homes can take advantage of solar energy with our zero visibility installation methods.
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Rooftops with Living Space
Our Brooklyn Solar Canopy creates – and enhances – recreational roof spaces.
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Low Electricity Homes
Many NYC homes require smaller than average systems – we’ve got the solution.
Learn MoreHome Solar Installation Process
Assessment and Proposal
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1 WEEK A solar consultant will assess your home and energy needs, and our designers will develop a solar proposal. You’ll review your project proposal with your consultant and discuss tax credit eligibility with your accountant.
Project Initiation
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1 MONTH You’ll sign your contract and pay a down payment or secure financing. We’ll draft a project plan set and complete a professional engineering review.
Permit Application
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1 MONTH We’ll submit a stamped plan set and building and electrical permit application to NYC Department of Buildings.
4-6 WEEKS If your home is landmarked, we have an extra step to take. We’ll complete a landmarks survey of your home. Once complete, we’ll submit a visibility summary and approval request to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
System Installation
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1-3 DAYS You’ll choose a convenient day for your project to begin. We’ll arrive early and begin installation. Once installation is complete, you’ll be invoiced for the remaining project cost.
Inspections
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2 WEEKS We’ll schedule final inspections with Con Edison and the Department of Buildings.
Tax Season
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We’ll supply state and federal tax forms. You claim your solar tax credits when you file your taxes, and repay your bridge loan if needed.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF YOUR SOLAR INSTALLATION
Whether you’re still considering solar or you’re gearing up for your installation, check out this video for a glimpse into what you can expect on the day of your solar installation.
Cost of A Residential Solar Installation
The average cost of a solar system installation in New York City varies depending on a number of factors and can look much different than other areas of the country. You can expect your project cost to be offset by about 50% by the rich tax incentives available here.
When you go solar with us, your customized project cost includes equipment, installation, permitting, and our unparalleled 30-year warranty package. With flexible payment options available, you may purchase your system outright or finance it for $0 down.
You’re Eligible for Local Solar Incentives
Going solar in NYC and reducing your carbon footprint is more affordable than you think. New York City has some of the best financial incentives for residential solar in the country. Through state and local tax credits and rebates, the cost of your solar panel installation could be covered around 50%.
$
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NEW YORK STATE SOLAR INCOME TAX CREDIT
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NYC SOLAR PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT
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STATE HISTORIC TAX CREDIT
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NET METERING
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Visit our solar incentives page to explore solar tax credits, tax abatements, and net metering.
NYS Solar Income Tax Credit
Residential solar owners can claim a $5,000 tax credit on their New York State income taxes. The credit can be divided over multiple tax years if a client is unable to fully utilize it in a single year.
NYC SOLAR PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT
30% of your solar installation costs can be claimed as a local property tax abatement with the NYC Department of Finance. The abatement is divided into annual installments over a four year cycle.
Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit
For qualifying homeowners, this state income tax credit covers a percentage of eligible rehabilitation expenses to offset costs for restoring and upgrading historic structures, including windows and doors, roofs, and solar. This tax credit can cover up to 20% of installation costs.
Net Metering
Net metering is a billing mechanism with Con Edison in which any excess solar energy your panels product is sent back to the grid, and then credited back to you on future Con Ed bills for you to use when your home needs more energy than your solar system is currently supplying, like at night or on a very rainy day.
Solar Payback Period and Resale Value
5-8 Years
PAYBACK PERIOD
for the average NYC home
5.4%
Increase in Home Resale Value in NYC
according to Zillow.com
Warranty & Financing Options
With a comprehensive warranty package and simple financing options available, we’ve got you and your roof covered.
30-Year Total
System Warranty
All Brooklyn SolarWorks solar systems come with an industry leading 30-year warranty that covers all aspects of the system including the panels and inverter.
Power Production
Guarantee
We guarantee your solar production. If your system fails to perform as expected, we’ll provide cash compensation to cover the loss in savings.
24/7 Real-Time
Monitoring
Systems report performance data to our monitoring staff who are notified if irregularities occur. Data is reviewed monthly to ensure systems are producing as designed. Customers can also track performance via their individual monitoring portal.
Financing Options
We offer flexible financing options that allow you to swap out your Con Edison bill with a low monthly solar payment. Why keep paying your utility bill when you can be paying off your own solar system instead?
FAQs
Are solar panels worth it in NYC?
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Going solar is absolutely worth it! As a New Yorker, you can take advantage of some of the best solar tax incentives in the country to cover around 50% of the cost of your installation. But that’s not all: going solar will drastically reduce your electric bill, and solar panels increase the property value of NYC homes by an average of 5.4%.
How efficient are solar panels on a flat roof?
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You may have heard that it’s not worth it for solar panels to be installed on a flat roof, due to shade and lack of tilt. This is not true! When installed with the right expertise, solar panels on flat roofs perform just as well, if not better, than solar panels on pitched roofs. Flat roof solar requires specialized knowledge and installation methods, so it’s best to choose an expert installer (like us!) to get the most out of your flat roof solar installation.
Can I install my own solar panels in NYC?
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To install a solar energy system on your home in NYC, you need to obtain a construction work permit and an electrical work permit from the Department of Buildings. This is a notoriously complex process, and it’s best handled by companies with the right expertise. Brooklyn SolarWorks specializes in navigating NYC’s permitting requirements so you don’t have to.
Should I replace my roof before installing solar?
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Roof condition is typically not an obstacle to going solar on a flat roof. In the case that your roof needs repairs or replacement, you have options that do not prevent you from proceeding with your solar panel installation. Plus, flat roofs allow for easy maintenance after a solar installation, as opposed to pitched roofs.
Are solar batteries allowed in NYC?
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Unfortunately, solar batteries are not yet allowed in New York City. The FDNY has specific policies surrounding battery installation in residential buildings that currently make obtaining a permit impossible.
Are solar panels cost effective in NY?
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As a solar owner, Con Edison will award you retail credits on your bills for the excess solar power your system exports to the grid. Solar energy becomes more valuable over time as electric rates increase, meaning your savings will grow. Going solar reduces the cost per kilowatt hour of electricity to pennies, and the savings from avoiding utility rate increases typically exceeds $35,000 over time. Estimate how much you could save by going solar with our NYC solar savings calculator.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint & Go Solar Today
Switching to clean energy is one of the best ways to make a positive impact as a homeowner in New York City. But solar energy isn’t just good for the planet – it’s good for your wallet too.
Speak with a solar specialist to learn more about your options and start your journey to solar savings.