Solar Guide to Albany and How To Set-Up Your System
With the constant rise in electricity, many homeowners are seeking alternative solutions to lower their energy bills. One of the most effective solutions is investing in a solar panel system. Here, we’ll go into detail about the entire installation process from your initial consultation to eventually using your solar system to power your home.
Request a Free Consultation
If you’re interested in solar for your home, one of the first things you want to do is request a free solar evaluation from our company. This is where one of our representatives will come to your home and assess its unique attributes. We’ll discuss the different solar options available for you to choose from and determine the best setup to maximize the sunlight potential on your property.
Many homeowners have concerns about the placement of their solar panels and how they can integrate with the existing aesthetics of their homes. Our representatives will be more than happy to discuss the different options available to you so you understand how new solar panels can integrate with your existing property setup.
We’ll work to determine the number of solar panels you’ll need to power the different electronics in your home. Our professionals will listen to your needs regarding battery storage so that we can craft the perfect estimate for you.
Custom Design Quote
Once we do our initial evaluation of your home and understand what your needs are, our team will craft a custom solar setup design that’s perfect for your home. We’ll provide you with our free estimate and designs so you can determine if solar is the right option for your home.
If you decide that solar is the way to go, we’ll order the components for your solar setup and schedule your installation day. Our team will work to acquire any local permitting necessary to do the solar system installation.
Installation Day
Most solar panel installation projects can be completed within about one to three days. If you have a fairly low-sloped roof and the weather outside is good, installation can be done in one day. However, if you have a larger home, a more complex roofing layout, or access to your roof is limited, it may take between two and three days for the whole installation process.
We suggest moving cars out of your driveway to make for easier access for panel installation. Additionally, if your panels are getting installed on your roof, it’s best to clear the space around your home for easier access.
Tax Incentives
One of the biggest benefits of investing in solar for your home is you can take advantage of multiple tax credits on both the federal and state level. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers reduced energy costs to both residents and businesses that adopt clean energy sources. The specific program that NYSERDA offers is the NY-Sun program.
Under this program, homeowners can get an upfront rebate from their installer of 20 cents per watt. Households with lower incomes are eligible to receive higher incentives. The NYSERDA also offers various financing options to help owners purchase these clean energy setups. Some of the most common financing programs include On-Bill Recovery Loans, Smart Energy Loans, and Tax Credit Bridge Loans.
The state of New York offers a tax credit for homeowners to invest in solar energy systems. You can claim up to 25% of the total cost of your new system plus installation fees on your state tax returns. There is a maximum cap of $5,000 per system. It’s important to know that this is a tax credit and you will not receive any excess credit amount in the form of a tax refund from the state.
Apart from state-specific tax incentives, there is also a federal tax incentive under the Federal Investment Tax Credit or ITC. This allows you to claim a tax credit of up to 30% of the total cost of your new system plus installation fees on your federal taxes. Currently, this program has no maximum cap on the amount of credit you can receive and is available up through 2032. One thing to keep in mind is this program requires you to actually own your system, not lease it.
Reliable Solar Panel Installation Service
Solar Liberty provides reliable solar panel installation services to the Albany, NY community. We can also assist with all your solar leasing, new construction, solar battery, and EV charger needs. Call our office today to schedule your next service consultation with one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives.
