Solar Company in Staten Island: Your Guide to Clean Energy Savings

Staten Island may be known as New York City’s “greenest borough” for its parks and suburban charm, but it’s also fast becoming a hotspot for solar energy. Homeowners in Staten Island – from the North Shore neighborhoods of St. George and Stapleton to South Shore communities like Tottenville and Great Kills – are embracing solar power as a way to cut high electric bills and contribute to a cleaner environment. If you’re searching for a solar company in Staten Island, you likely have questions about costs, incentives, and what to expect. This comprehensive guide will answer those questions and show why now is the perfect time to go solar in Staten Island, NY.

Why Go Solar in Staten Island?

Rising Energy Costs in NYC: Electricity prices in New York City are among the highest in the nation. Con Edison rates have been climbing, and many Staten Islanders are feeling the squeeze on their monthly utility bills. Solar panels offer a way to take control of those costs. By generating your own power, you buy less from the utility – and thanks to net metering, any extra energy your panels produce earns you credits on your bill (more on that later). The result is immediate savings on electricity costs and a hedge against future rate hikes.

Abundant Sunlight & Ideal Homes: Staten Island might be the least populous NYC borough, but that means more rooftop space and open sky per home. The borough receives plenty of sunlight throughout the year to make solar worthwhile. Even in winter or on cloudy days, modern solar panels are efficient enough to generate power. And during long summer days, your system can produce surplus energy to offset those shorter winter days. Staten Island’s suburban landscape – full of single-family homes with ample roof space – is perfect for solar installations compared to the high-rises of Manhattan. Whether your home is overlooking the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge or near the Staten Island Mall, as long as it has a sunny roof area, it’s a candidate for solar.

Environmental Benefits: Choosing solar isn’t just about saving money – it’s also about contributing to a greener community. Solar energy is 100% clean and reduces your carbon footprint. Staten Island has seen its share of environmental challenges, from vehicle pollution to the legacy of the Fresh Kills landfill. By going solar, you help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support cleaner air for all Staten Island residents. In fact, installing a typical residential solar system is like planting dozens of trees or taking cars off the road in terms of carbon emissions avoided. For a borough proud of its parks and shoreline, this is a meaningful way to preserve our environment for future generations.

Higher Home Value: Another perk of solar panels is the potential increase in your property value. Homes with solar installations are in demand – buyers love the idea of inheriting low electric bills. Studies have found that homes with solar sell for a premium compared to similar homes without solar. For example, a 2024 study showed solar-equipped homes sold for about 6.8% more on average than those without solar panels. This means solar not only saves you money each month, but it can also pay off when it comes time to sell your home. And here’s some good news for New Yorkers: New York State offers a property tax exemption so that any increase in your home’s value from adding solar won’t increase your property taxes.

Energy Independence and Reliability: By generating your own electricity, you become less dependent on the grid. This can be reassuring, especially after events like Superstorm Sandy, which left many in the dark. While grid-tied solar panels will shut off during a power outage for safety, many Staten Island homeowners pair their solar panels with home battery storage or generators for backup power. This combo lets you keep critical appliances running even if Con Edison has an outage in your area. Even without a battery, just knowing that a good portion of your energy is coming from your roof (and not subject to utility price swings or disruptions) brings peace of mind. Plus, solar panels have no moving parts and are very reliable – they quietly generate power for 25+ years with minimal maintenance.

Solar Incentives and Rebates for Staten Island Residents

One of the biggest reasons so many locals are searching for a solar company in Staten Island right now is the incredible stack of incentives and rebates available. Going solar in Staten Island has never been more affordable thanks to federal, state, and city programs that dramatically reduce the upfront cost. Here are the key solar incentives you can take advantage of in Staten Island:

• 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit – A credit on your IRS tax return equal to 30% of your system cost.
• 25% New York State Tax Credit – A NY state personal tax credit worth 25% of system cost (up to $5,000).
• NY-Sun Upfront Rebate (NYSERDA) – State incentive that lowers cost by around $200 per kilowatt installed (about $1,500–$2,000 for an average home system).
• NYC Property Tax Abatement – New York City allows you to deduct 20% of system cost from property taxes (spread over 4 years).
• Sales Tax Exemption – No state sales tax (4%) on solar equipment in NY, saving you hundreds of dollars.
• Net Metering Credits – Earn bill credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid, effectively selling power back to Con Edison at the retail rate.

These incentives significantly reduce the cost of going solar and improve your return on investment. Let’s break down how each one works for a Staten Island homeowner:

Federal Solar Tax Credit – 30% Off Your System Cost

The federal government offers one of the most generous incentives: the Residential Clean Energy Credit, commonly known as the federal solar tax credit. This credit is equal to 30% of your total solar installation cost. It’s a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your federal income tax liability. If your solar system costs $20,000, for example, you can get a $6,000 tax credit when you file your taxes. This program was recently extended and is available for systems installed through at least 2032. Every Staten Island homeowner who pays federal income tax can take advantage of this – there’s no cap on the credit amount (aside from it being 30%). If your tax credit is larger than what you owe in taxes for the year, you can even roll over the unused portion to the next year. This 30% credit alone makes a huge dent in the cost of going solar.

New York State Solar Incentives (Rebates, Tax Credits, and Exemptions)

New York State backs up the federal incentive with additional programs to encourage solar adoption. Through the NY-Sun initiative (administered by NYSERDA, the NY State Energy Research and Development Authority), most Staten Island solar installations qualify for an upfront rebate based on system size. This is essentially a discount taken off the price of your system. As of 2024, the NY-Sun “Megawatt Block” rebate for our region is about $200 per kW of installed solar capacity. For a typical home system (~7–10 kW), that’s roughly $1,400 to $2,000 off right away, courtesy of New York State. Your solar installer will usually handle the NY-Sun application and pass the savings to you as a line item in your contract.

In addition to the NY-Sun rebate, New York offers a State Solar Energy System Equipment Tax Credit. This is a personal state income tax credit worth 25% of your system cost (capped at $5,000). Many Staten Island homeowners max out this credit. If you spend $20,000 on a solar system, 25% would be $5,000 – you’d get the full $5k back (spread over a couple of tax years if needed). This state credit can be combined with the federal credit, effectively giving you a double benefit. Using both, you get 55% of your costs back via tax credits (30% federal + 25% state)! For example, a $30,000 solar project could yield $9,000 off from federal and $5,000 off from state, reducing your cost by $14,000. Important: To claim NY’s incentives and rebates, you must use a NYSERDA-approved solar contractor – which any top Staten Island solar company (like us) will be. Working with a certified installer ensures you don’t miss out on these programs.

New York State also provides two tax exemptions that help solar customers:

• Sales Tax Exemption: Solar equipment in NY is exempt from state sales tax (4% rate). New York City also waives the local sales tax for solar. This means you save around 8% instantly by not paying sales tax on your system purchase – a savings of roughly $2,400 on a $30K system. (Your installer will handle this – your bill should simply not include sales tax on the solar portion.)
• Property Tax Exemption: Normally, adding value to your home (like an extension or improvement) can increase your property assessment and taxes. NYS has a 15-year property tax exemption for renewable energy systems. However, NYC itself opts for a different approach via the abatement program (described next). In practice, this means Staten Island homeowners won’t be penalized with higher property taxes for installing solar. You either get the state’s exemption or NYC’s abatement credit – either way, you come out ahead.

NYC Solar Property Tax Abatement (PTA)

New York City has a special incentive just for city residents (including Staten Island): the Solar Property Tax Abatement. This program rewards you for going solar by reducing your property taxes for four years. Specifically, you can get an abatement of 4% of the solar system cost each year for 4 years, for a total of 20% of the system cost. In other words, the city will effectively pay back 20% of your installation expense via property tax savings! For example, if your solar installation cost $30,000, the NYC PTA could give you up to $6,000 worth of property tax credits, spread as $1,500 off per year for 4 years. This abatement is applied against your NYC property tax bill (typically starting the year after your system is installed and approved). There is a generous cap on the program (up to $62,500 total abatement), which normal home systems won’t exceed. By combining the NYC abatement with the federal and state tax credits and the NY-Sun rebate, Staten Island homeowners can dramatically lower the net cost of going solar.

(With incentives stacking like this, it’s not uncommon to cut your upfront cost by 50% or more. For a rough idea: an average 9.5 kW home solar system in Staten Island might cost about $34,000 before incentives. After the 30% federal credit, you’d pay around $23,800. Then the NY state credit could cut another $5,000, down to ~$18,800. NYC’s abatement might later return ~$6,000 in tax savings, effectively bringing net cost near $12,000 – almost two-thirds off!)

Net Metering – Sell Back Your Excess Energy

In addition to the above rebates and credits, net metering is another key financial benefit that solar owners enjoy. Net metering isn’t a rebate check or a tax credit – it’s a billing arrangement with your utility. Here’s how it works: when your solar panels produce more electricity than your home is using (say, a sunny afternoon when you’re out of the house), the excess power flows back to the grid and makes your meter run backwards. Con Edison gives you a credit for that energy at the full retail rate. Later, when you need more power than your panels are producing (like at night), you draw from the grid and use those credits to offset the cost. In effect, net metering lets you bank your daytime solar production to use at other times, and it can drastically reduce or even eliminate your electric bill. In New York, residential systems up to 25 kW are eligible for net metering. The policy is locked in for 20 years once you install, so you can count on those credits for the long term. Net metering is a big reason why the average Staten Island solar homeowner saves tens of thousands on electricity over the life of the system.

To put numbers in perspective, EnergySage marketplace data shows that after all incentives, the average Staten Island solar setup pays for itself in just about 5.4 years and then generates essentially free electricity for decades. The typical homeowner saves over $67,000 on electricity costs over 25 years by going solar. That’s money that stays in your pocket rather than going to utility bills, all while you enjoy a clean, renewable power source.

Choosing the Best Solar Company in Staten Island, NY

With so many New Yorkers going solar, how do you choose the right installer for your project? Googling “best solar company near me in Staten Island” will yield plenty of results, but you’ll want to make sure you pick a partner that is experienced, reputable, and understands the unique aspects of working in NYC. Here are a few key qualities to look for in a Staten Island solar company (and why we’re proud to meet these criteria):

• Local Expertise & Licensing: Make sure the company has a track record in Staten Island or the NYC area specifically. Local installers will be familiar with NYC Department of Buildings permits, Con Edison interconnection requirements, and Staten Island home architecture. They’ll know, for example, how to navigate strict building codes or work around landmarked properties. A Staten Island-based team also understands the borough’s climate (like occasional heavy snow or salt air near the coast) and can design your system accordingly. (Our company is born-and-bred local – we’ve handled solar installations in neighborhoods from Emerson Hill to Eltingville, so we know the ropes.)
• NYSERDA Certified & Fully Insured: Always choose a solar installer that is NYSERDA-certified (required for those state rebates we discussed) and holds all the proper NYC licenses and insurance. This ensures your installation is high quality and qualifies for incentives. We are a NYSERDA approved contractor and NABCEP-certified (the gold standard in solar expertise), giving you peace of mind that your project is in capable hands.
• Comprehensive Services (Turnkey Installation): The best solar companies provide end-to-end service – from initial site evaluation and system design to permitting, installation, and aftercare. Going solar involves paperwork and approvals (utility applications, building permits, inspections). A top-tier Staten Island solar provider will handle all these logistics for you, making the process seamless. We take care of everything, including helping you file for your tax credits and configuring your monitoring app so you can watch your panels produce energy in real time.
• High-Quality Equipment: Not all solar panels or inverters are equal. Look for an installer that offers reliable, high-efficiency panels (for example, Tier 1 brands like SunPower, Panasonic, LG, or Tesla) and backs them with strong warranties. Quality equipment ensures you maximize energy production on Staten Island’s sunny days and that your system lasts 25-30 years. We only install panels and batteries that we’d trust on our own homes, and we stand behind them with 25-year warranties for performance and product.
• Strong Local Reputation: Read reviews and testimonials from other Staten Island customers. A trustworthy solar company should have happy customers in your community. Check Google reviews, Yelp, or solar marketplaces for feedback. We’re proud of our 5-star reviews from Staten Island clients and don’t hesitate to provide references. There’s nothing like hearing from a neighbor who cut their electric bill by 80% after installing solar with us! (See testimonials below 👇)
• Competitive Pricing & Financing Options: Price matters, but value matters more. The best companies are not always the cheapest, but they offer fair pricing for the quality of work and service provided. They will also help you understand financing options – whether it’s zero-down loans, leases/PPAs, or outright purchase – and find what works for your budget. We provide a transparent quote with a breakdown of costs and savings, and can connect you with solar financing programs (including $0-down options) if you prefer to pay for your system over time. Our goal is to make solar affordable and hassle-free for Staten Island families.

“Our Staten Island Customers Speak for Themselves”

We believe the true mark of the best solar company in Staten Island is happy customers. Here are a couple of hypothetical Staten Island homeowner testimonials from those who have gone solar team:

“Huge savings on my electric bill!” After my solar panels were installed, my monthly ConEd bill went from about $250 down to under $20 – even in the summer with AC running. The install team was professional and handled all the permits. I highly recommend going solar with them if you live in Staten Island.
– Vanessa P., homeowner in Willowbrook, Staten Island

“Professional, local, and reliable.” We wanted a solar company near me in Staten Island that we could trust – and we’re so glad we chose this team. They explained all the Staten Island and New York incentives clearly and helped us get a great financing plan. Our panels have performed flawlessly, and the crew even followed up after installation to make sure we were comfortable with the monitoring app. Going solar was a big decision, but now seeing the low bills, we wish we’d done it sooner!
– John D., Tottenville, Staten Island

(These are just a few hypothetical examples of the feedback we get from our customers. We’re local, so our reputation means everything to us!)

By choosing a reputable Staten Island solar installer that embodies these qualities, you can be confident that your switch to solar will be smooth and rewarding. We treat our customers like neighbors – because they are! When your solar company is part of the Staten Island community, you know you’ll get personalized service and long-term support.

Frequently Asked Questions about Solar in Staten Island

We know investing in solar panels is a big decision, and you likely have some questions. Below we answer a few common questions Staten Island homeowners ask:

How much do solar panels cost in Staten Island?

The cost of a solar panel system can vary based on your home’s size and energy usage. In Staten Island, the average home needs around a 7 kW to 10 kW system, which might cost roughly $20,000 to $35,000 before incentives. According to EnergySage data, an average 9.5 kW system in Staten Island costs about $34,000 before incentives. However, after applying the 30% federal tax credit, that cost drops to around $23,800. Then you can subtract the NY state credit (up to $5k), NY-Sun rebate (~$2k), and NYC tax abatement (worth ~20% of the cost). With all these factored in, many homeowners end up paying roughly $10k–$15k net for a full system that will generate most of their electricity. Keep in mind, this can be further spread out or reduced if you use financing, and no-money-down loan options can make it so you’re paying monthly for solar what you used to pay to ConEd – except now you’re building equity in your own power system. We provide free customized quotes to give you an exact price for your home – every roof is different.

What solar incentives are available for Staten Island residents?

Staten Island homeowners have access to generous solar incentives at all levels of government. The main ones are:

• Federal Tax Credit – 30% of your system cost back on your federal taxes.
• NY State Tax Credit – 25% of system cost back on state taxes (max $5,000).
• NY-Sun NYSERDA Rebate – upfront discount of around $200 per kW (about $1,500–$2,000 for most homes).
• NYC Property Tax Abatement – 20% of system cost returned via property tax savings over 4 years.
• Sales Tax Exemption – no state sales tax on solar equipment (saves ~4% on total cost).
• Net Metering – credits on your utility bill for excess power your panels send to the grid (this isn’t a check in your hand, but it’s a crucial financial benefit that lowers your bills dramatically).

All of these incentives combined make going solar in Staten Island extremely cost-effective – you’re essentially getting tens of thousands of dollars in assistance to go solar. Our team will walk you through each incentive and even help with the paperwork to ensure you receive everything you’re entitled to. (For more details, see the incentives section above or our full incentives guide.)

Is Staten Island a good place for solar energy?

Absolutely! Staten Island is actually one of the best places in New York City for solar. We have plenty of residential rooftops with good sun exposure in neighborhoods like New Dorp, Huguenot, and Grymes Hill. The climate is sunny enough – NYC gets around 200+ days of sun per year. In fact, Staten Island’s solar potential has been a big reason for the surge in installations recently. Additionally, our electric rates are so high that even an average amount of sunshine translates into huge savings with solar panels. Remember, solar panels don’t need constant direct sun; they produce even on bright cloudy days (just at a lower output). Staten Island’s mild spring and summer weather is ideal for solar production, and even winter sun on a cold clear day can be surprisingly productive (cold temperatures can improve solar panel efficiency). As long as your roof has a decent amount of unobstructed sun for most of the day, Staten Island is a great place to go solar. We conduct a full site assessment (including shade analysis) to confirm your home’s suitability, but roughly 70-80% of the homes we evaluate in Staten Island are viable candidates for solar panels.

How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves?

Thanks to the rich incentives and high energy savings, solar panels in Staten Island have an excellent payback period. On average, homeowners see a return on their investment in about 5 to 7 years. This means that within 5-7 years, the savings on your electric bills equal the net cost you paid for the system. After that point, the solar panels have essentially paid for themselves and then continue to produce free electricity for 20+ more years. Considering panels often last 25-30 years (with warranties of 25 years standard), you’ll be enjoying decades of free power once the system has paid off. Even if you financed your system with a loan, the loan payments combined with any remaining small electric bill typically are lower than your old bill, so you start saving money month one – and when the loan is paid off, your costs drop to nearly zero. In terms of ROI, investing in solar can yield an equivalent return far higher than most financial investments – plus you’re shielded from rate increases. When you sell your home, you also recoup value from the solar (as discussed, homes with solar sell for a premium), so either way the investment comes back to you.

How do I find the best solar company near me in Staten Island?

Finding the best solar installer for your Staten Island home comes down to research and asking the right questions. Here are some steps and tips:

• Look at experience and reviews: Search for companies that have a strong track record in the NYC area and positive customer feedback. Check online reviews on Google, Better Business Bureau, EnergySage, etc. A company with many successful Staten Island installs and happy customers is a good sign (like the testimonials we shared above).
• Verify licenses and certifications: The company should be licensed to operate in NYC. Also look for certifications like NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) which indicate advanced training, and NYSERDA approval for state programs.
• Get multiple quotes: It’s wise to get 2-3 quotes from different solar companies. This lets you compare system designs, equipment quality, warranty terms, and pricing. Be wary of any quote that is significantly lower – if it sounds too good to be true, it might involve cutting corners. Our quotes are competitive and transparent, and we often encourage homeowners to compare – we’re confident in the value we offer.
• Ask about local knowledge: During a consultation, ask the company about their experience in Staten Island. Have they done projects in your neighborhood? How well do they know the permitting process? A true Staten Island solar expert will be able to talk in detail about local conditions (roof types common in your area, working with ConEd, NYC fire code setbacks, etc.). For example, we know that homes in West Brighton might have more shading from tall trees, or that many houses in Annadale have brand-new roofs from recent renovations – little details that a non-local might not be aware of.
• Evaluate their proposal thoroughly: The best company will give you a comprehensive proposal including estimated energy production, financial return (savings, payback, IRR), and product info. They should answer all your questions and not use high-pressure tactics. Solar is a long-term relationship (your system will be around for decades), so choose a provider you feel you can trust to be there for the long haul.

In short, the best solar company near you will be the one that combines local expertise, quality workmanship, excellent customer service, and fair pricing. We strive to embody all of these qualities – as a Staten Island focused solar company, we treat our customers like family and take pride in each project we complete right here in our community.

Will my solar panels work if there’s a blackout or in winter?

This is a great question, especially given Staten Island’s experience with storms. Solar panels will produce power during daylight hours all year round, but they are connected to the grid for safety and efficiency. If the grid goes down (a blackout), a standard grid-tied solar system will shut off as well. This is to prevent feeding electricity into power lines while workers are fixing an outage. However, if you have a battery backup system (or a special inverter that provides limited backup power), your solar can continue to power your home during an outage by disconnecting from the grid and using the battery. Many Staten Island solar customers opt to add a home battery (like the Tesla Powerwall or Enphase Encharge) for this reason – so that critical loads can stay on if there’s ever another Sandy-like event. Regarding winter: Solar panels do generate electricity in winter. In fact, cold temperatures can improve efficiency. The main hindrance is snow – if panels are covered by snow, they won’t produce until the snow slides off or melts. Fortunately, Staten Island gets moderate snowfall, and panels are typically mounted at an angle, so snow usually sheds off after a bit of sun. Many homeowners find that any lower production in winter is balanced out by the extremely high production in summer. Net metering also helps: you might accumulate credits in the summer that you use up in the winter, achieving a net zero electric cost over the year.

Ready to Go Solar in Staten Island? Contact Us Today!

By now, it’s clear that going solar in Staten Island is one of the smartest investments you can make – for your wallet, your home’s value, and the environment. With generous incentives lowering costs, high electricity rates meaning bigger savings, and a trustworthy local team ready to guide you, all the pieces are in place. So why wait?

Take the first step toward energy independence and savings. Contact our Staten Island solar experts for a free, no-obligation consultation and quote. We’ll evaluate your roof, answer any questions, and show you exactly how much you can save with solar panels tailored to your home.

👉 Contact Us Today to schedule your free solar consultation or call us at 888-SUN-4-ENERGY. Join the growing number of Staten Island homeowners who have chosen clean, affordable energy. Let the best solar company in Staten Island help you light up your home with sunshine – and start saving now!

By choosing solar, you’re not just powering your home – you’re empowering your community towards a greener future. We’re excited to be your partner in this journey.