Solar, for Challenging Roofs
Brooklyn homeowners are often told by other contractors that they can’t go solar because their flat roofs have too much shade, too much stuff, or not enough space. Brooklyn SolarWorks has pioneered two innovative design methods that maximize solar project potential – even for “difficult” roofs that other companies simply can’t figure out.
Our patented, award-winning Brooklyn Solar Canopy elevates systems over the most obstructed surfaces, maximizing solar performance on otherwise unworkable roofs. Our smaller Tilt Rack installations, mounted closer to the surface, are designed to nimbly work around hatches, skylights and other common barriers for lower demand customers. With both options at our disposal, we say “yes” when other companies say “no.”
Value
Strong public incentives and sky high electricity rates make NYC one of the best solar markets in the country. Rebates and tax credits can cover up to 70% or more of gross costs for most projects.
Learn More
For full details scroll over the different incentives.
Federal Solar Income Tax Credit
30% of solar system costs can be claimed as a credit on your federal income taxes.
The credits can be divided over multiple tax years if a client is unable to fully utilize it in a single year.
This credit will decline to 26% on January 1, 2020, 22% in 2021, and then terminate in 2022.
Your Out-of-Pocket Cost
Up to 70% Covered
NYC Solar Property Tax Abatement
20% of solar system costs can be claimed as a local property tax abatement with the NYC Department of Finance. The abatement is divided into annual 5% installments over a four year cycle. The NYC PTA is set to expire on December 31, 2020.
NYS Solar Income Tax Credit
Residential solar owners can claim a $5000 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.
NYS Solar Rebate
New York State residential solar projects receive a rebate that reduces their upfront contract price. The rebate declines over time based on the amount of solar installed in different regions of the state. For residential projects in New York City, the state rebate is currently $.30 per Watt of solar installed which reduces out of pocket costs by roughly 5%.
Federal Solar Income Tax Credit
Your Out-of-Pocket Cost
Up to 70% Covered
NYC Solar Property Tax Abatement
NYS Solar Income Tax Credit
NYS Solar Rebate
Let’s Talk
Discuss the numbers with a BSW Consultant today.
5-8 Years
$35,000-$45,000
Avg. 5.4% (Zillow.com)
Let’s Talk
Discuss the numbers with a BSW Consultant today.
Investment Security
LG solar panels come with an industry leading 25-year product warranty, as well as a production guarantee that ensures that panels will generate at least 89% of year 1 production (kwh) by the end of the 25-year product warranty period.
The SMA Sunny Boy inverter, an industry leading product and BSW’s go to inverter, is covered by a 20-year extended warranty.
BSW offers a 10 year warranty on all materials and services performed, including roof penetrations. Any necessary repairs required during that period will be promptly performed at BSW’s expense.
BSW guarantees that solar systems will produce at least 95% of the projected estimates that are included in your contract during the first 10 years of the system’s operating life. If annual system production falls below this guarantee BSW provides cash compensation for underperformance. This is offered by BSW in addition to LG’s power production guarantee.
All BSW installed systems automatically report performance data every few minutes to our monitoring staff, who will be notified of any irregularities. The monitoring team actively reviews system performance data monthly to ensure system is producing as designed. All customers can also track performance data themselves on their, computer or tablet via their individual monitoring portal.
Completion Timeline
Average project completion time from contract signing: 2-3 Months
Scroll over project steps for full details.
Assessment & Proposal
Project Initiation
(1 Month)
Permit Application
(1 Month)
System Installation
(1-3 Days)
Inspection & Meter Swap
(2 Weeks)
Tax Season
Assessment & Proposal
BSW survey specialist completes 1-hour home assessment; You review project proposal with BSW solar consultant, and discuss tax credit eligibility with your accountant
Project Initiation
(1 Month)
You choose solar system size, sign contract, pay $3,000 down payment; BSW drafts project plan set and completes professional engineering review.
Permit Application
(1 Month)
BSW submits stamped plan set and building and electrical permit application to NYC Department of Buildings; awaits approval.
System Installation
(1-3 Days)
You schedule convenient day/time & pay remaining installation fee; BSW orders equipment, installs solar system at your home.
Inspection & Meter Swap
(2 Weeks)
BSW schedules ConEd meter swap and DOB electrical and building inspections; You provide access for swap and inspections (1 hour each).
Tax Season
BSW supplies state and federal tax forms; You claim our solar tax credits (& repay bridge loan if needed)
Customer Experience
“You cannot make a process like this any easier for the customer and I deal with process and clients at scale for a living. These guys are an A+ on all fronts. The information that they give you to make the decision in the first place is smart, quick, easy to digest and they live up to the expectations they set. The team is cool and quick to respond to any/all questions.
The way they handle EVERYTHING, I feel like I just sat back and let them do everything other than cut the check. They way projects like this should feel but few are able to pull off. Even the complicated approval process between the permits, DOB inspections, load-bearing hurdles, nothing was left to me to figure out. I have had window salesman provide less in return. BSW is fantastic, I am so proud to have done this for my family and I. Every time its sunny outside and I see that gorgeous canopy (the extra bit of $ for the black powder coat was worth it IMHO) I sit back and think "soak it in yo, soak it in."”
“It was a completely amazing experience to work with all the people at Brooklyn SolarWorks. We've worked with a lot of contractors on our brownstone in BedStuy, and the experience is usually stressful at best, but with Brooklyn Solar Works it was completely the opposite, great communication, fantastic work and friendly staff. 1000% recommended!!!!”
“This company is absolutely top notch. I've researched various companies and was told my property wasn't suitable for solar. Not the answer I got from BK SolarWorks. They study and check out your property, come up with creative solutions and execute it swiftly and professionally.
For what it is a somewhat complex process they make it as easy as it can get from helping to secure loans to navigating and giving tips with the tax refunds.
After I spent 1 1/2 years renovating my house, dealing with various contractors and headaches, Brooklyn Solar Works was the most relaxed and secure I felt in a long time. Zero drama, 0 headaches and all promises fullfilled ahead of schedule!”
“I had solar panels installed on my roof in December 2016. The first solar company that I called told me that you could not put solar panels on a flat roof -- not true. I called Brooklyn Solar Works and they told me that's basically all they do. They were extremely professional. They were busy, but responsive, and they did a great job handling everything from paperwork to installation. It was a terrific experience. Everyone who owns a brownstone or a building should put solar panels on their roofs. It makes a huge impact on fossil fuel consumption, and tax credits covered around 70% of the cost. The system they designed for me will pay for itself in around 5 years and is projected to save $50,000 over the next 25 years. There is really no good reason not to do this.”
“....The team at Brooklyn Solarworks were amazing! We ran into trouble a couple of years ago with another company and it fell apart due to their immense lack of interest, care and commitment to communicating. We were naturally nervous to start this process again but it couldn't have been a better one.
Brooklyn Solarworks were courteous, friendly, knowledgeable, insightful and above all, passionate about their industry. We are thrilled to finally have solar on our roof and are very happy to be able to do our part in moving away from fossil fuels and enjoy green electricity in our home. Thanks so much guys!”
“To make a long story short, after one company approached us about solar panels and then told us it wasn't possible to put them on a flat roof, I discovered Brooklyn Solarworks online. They quickly let us know that not only could we "go solar" but that many of our neighbors already had. They walked us through the process--including financing and rebates--step by step, and within a few months, we had solar panels and unbelievably low Con Ed bills. I can't praise Brooklyn Solarworks highly enough. They answered all our questions and everyone we met with is knowledgable, skilled, and friendly. It's a win-win-win outcome: good for our pocketbooks, good for this terrific little company, and, most important, good for the environment.”
Anatomy of a Solar System
Residential solar systems are surprisingly simple, consisting of only a few main components located on the roof and in the basement. BSW’s experienced installation team can complete a typical project in just one day with minimal disruption to your home and routine.