Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.
Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
Join more than 1,246 people who have received a quote in the last 30 days.
We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of Valley Stream. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
High-quality solar panel installation in Valley Stream, New York requires you to find a solar installer with the right certification, skills and experience. We've created a list of the best solar companies in Valley Stream to help you find the perfect installer.
Prior to selecting an installer, request referrals from others, assess potential companies and collect multiple quotes to find the best company for your needs. You can find a local solar company in Valley Stream or pick a well-known national brand.
While solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can lower your energy bills over the long run. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that moving to solar energy enables Valley Stream homeowners to save about $1,100 per year.
Solar companies do not all offer the same services and products. You should compare different companies and get quotes before scheduling your solar panel installation.
Focus on Valley Stream solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars based on customer commentary on Google Reviews and comparable sites. Make sure the company has a high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) when selecting a solar company.
Reviewing previous customer reviews will provide a sense of how other homeowners felt about the company, so be cautious if you see a pattern of negative reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
The Valley Stream region gets plenty of sunlight, which is great for homeowners to capitalize on solar energy. Here are the key reasons to go solar:
Based on the results of our survey done in October 2023, the median cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
The cost of installing solar panels differs based on several elements, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof direction, shading, system dimensions and labor. Be ready to pay extra if you choose any add-ons like solar trackers, animal guards or batteries.
According to numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NASA and the EIA, solar panel installation in Valley Stream has an average cost of $9,833.
Solar panel installation is a major initial investment, but you can expect to see big savings reflected in your energy bills with time.
In Valley Stream, you can plan to save money after transitioning fully to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage impact how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
Beyond cost savings, switching to solar power also lessens your carbon footprint and lowers your environmental impact. Provided below are the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Several solar incentives are available to Valley Stream homeowners. Some programs are available to all New York residents, while others change by municipality, utility company and city.
The following solar incentives are offered to New York residents, as listed in DSIRE:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
PACE Financing State of NY Commercial PACE Financing Program | Locally determined |
Personal Tax Credit Residential Solar Tax Credit | 25% for solar-electric (PV) and solar-thermal systems; for third-party owned systems this is in reference to the aggregate amount owed under the contract rather than the amount owed in any single year |
Corporate Tax Credit Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Corporate) | $0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel |
Loan Program NY-Sun Loan Program | Residential Customers: $1,500 - $25,000 Small Business and Not-for-Profit Organizations: Participation Loans: up to $100,000 (at low interest rate) On-Bill Recovery loans: $50,000 at 2% |
Sales Tax Incentive Residential Wood Heating Fuel Exemption | 100% exemption |
Sales Tax Incentive Local Option - Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Upon local authorization, 100% exemption from local sales tax |
Sales Tax Incentive Solar Sales Tax Exemption | 100% exemption from state sales tax |
Property Tax Incentive Local Option - Real Property Tax Exemption for Green Buildings | Upon local adoption, 20% - 100% of real property taxes owed; varies by year and certification level |
Property Tax Incentive Energy Conservation Improvements Property Tax Exemption | 100% of the value added to the residence by the improvements |
Property Tax Incentive Local Option - Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption | 100% exemption for 15 years (unless local jurisdiction has opted out) |
Rebate Program NY-Sun PV Incentive Program (Residential, Low-Income, and Small Business) | Incentive rates step down over time as MW goals are met. Incentive rates as of 11/27/2019 are: Residential: Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed) Con Edison Region: $0.30/W Upstate Region: $0.35/W Low-to-Moderate income customers: $0.80/W (up to 10 kW) Small Commercial (Non-Residential):Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed) Con Edison Region: $0.60/W Up State Region: $0.45/W Multifamily Affordable Housing Adder: additional $0.40/W (up to 50 kW) |
Rebate Program PSEG Long Island - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Appliances Advanced Power Strips: $10 - $20 Air Purifier: $25 - $50 Clothes Dryer: $50 - $250 Clothes Washer: $50 Dehumidifier: $30 Dishwasher: $50 Exhaust Fan: $20 - $25 Electric Freezer: $30 Heat Pump Water Heater: $650 Pool Pumps: $150 - $350 Refrigerator: $50 Refrigerator Recycling: $50 Lighting Instant Rebates Vary by Product Bulk Light Purchases: Up to $2 - $3/unit Cooling & Heating Central Air Conditioning: $450 Smart Thermostat: $85 Ground Source Heat Pump: $2,000/ton |
Rebate Program Ground Source Heat Pump Rebate Program | Small Systems (≤ 10 cooling tons): $1,500/cooling ton Large Systems (> 10 cooling tons): $1,200/cooling ton |
Loan Program Home Performance with ENERGY STAR | See Website |
Other Incentive NY Green Bank | See Website |
Personal Tax Credit Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Personal) | $0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel |
Rebate Program On-Site Wind Incentive Program | Tier I: 10,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $3.50/annual kWh Tier II: 10,000 kWh - 125,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $1.00/annual kWh Tier III: 125,000 kWh - 1,000,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $0.30/ annual kWh Tier IV: Greater than 1,000,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $0.15/ annual kWh These incentives are additive. |
Performance-Based Incentive Anaerobic Digester Gas-to-Electricity Rebate and Performance Incentive |
|
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
When selecting a solar installation expert, first review these important questions.
Your solar panel system's size is influenced by your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Bigger households use more electricity and may require bigger solar setups. An undersized system may be unable to fully energize your house.
Your solar plans may be impacted by specific permits and state or local regulations. You must get proper permits through your local building department and coordinate an inspection.
Not every house gets the same sun exposure. Trees, rain and extreme weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks enough sunlight, you may need extra panels with increased wattage.
Many solar panel systems come with a solar battery. Solar batteries store extra energy, which can be helpful for preventing power loss during a lack of sunlight. Opting for battery storage could increase the overall expense.
There are several solar panel types available, with differences in life expectancy, design and efficiency. These aspects impact not just the cost, but also how often panels will need to be replaced and the space needed on your roof.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.
Our guide explores the best solar companies available. Trinity and Elevation top our list for their services, and Sunrun rounds it out with its leasing options.
solarMay 16
While you can save money installing DIY solar panels, it’s not a simple home improvement project and does require electrical know-how as well as roofing skills.
solarMay 15
Sleek and innovative, solar shingles are gaining rapid popularity. They cost more than traditional solar panels but are also more aesthetically pleasing.
solarApr. 16
Solar panels last about 25 years, according to our expert. Our guide explains how to get the most out of your system’s life.
solarMar. 27