How to Get Free Solar Panels in New York

Free solar panels in New York? It may sound too good to be true, but it is possible to install solar panels at no cost through certain solar programs and New York solar incentives.
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New York Solar Power
New York has been very active in rolling out progressive solar incentives to help residents and business owners to adopt solar energy. This is one of many reasons why New York ranks in the top 10 best solar states in the US.
Thanks to the many New York solar programs and incentives, If you live or work in New York State, there is a good chance that you qualify to have free solar panels installed on your home.
Here are a few of the top ways New York home and business owners are going solar in NY State, for free.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
New York is one of the only states that offer Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) for solar energy. A Solar PPA is an agreement between you and a New York solar company. The solar energy company agrees to install solar panels on your home or business at no cost to you. In exchange, you agree to buy the energy from that solar system, at a fixed rate cheaper than your current electricity costs. Win-win.
This can be a good option for many because that solar energy comes at a fixed price, so you won't have to worry about future inflation and the rise of energy costs. You can enjoy the benefits of solar energy with no up front costs.
See if you qualify for a New York Power Purchase Agreement
Solar Financing Options in NY
It is possible to reduce your up-front costs for solar panels by learning about your financing options. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers finance options for installing solar panels. They are:
- On-Bill Recovery Loan - Finances your purchase as a flat billing added to your power bill
- Smart Energy Loans - NYSERDA will simply loan you the cost with interest and monthly payments
- Renewable Energy Tax Credit Bridge Loan - You get a loan based on your tax credit, borrowing the savings up front to pay back when the credit is applied
- Solar Leases - With a solar lease, you can pay a monthly fee in exchange for cheaper, clean solar energy. Instead of purchasing the entire solar system up front.
These are some additional ways to install solar panels in New York for free and still enjoy the benefits that solar panels provide. Solar financing options have become very popular in the last few years as homeowners have started to treat solar energy as an investment, rather than just a home addition.
Enter your zip code to see if you qualify for Free Solar Installation!
Do I Qualify?
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New York Solar Incentives
In addition to programs and options to get solar panels installed for free in New York, there are also a number of ways to save money and make money from your solar panel system. Through New York local solar incentives such as tax credits, tax exemptions, solar rebates, and community programs. Here are a few local solar incentives offered by New York State.
Read Also: The Complete Guide to New York Solar Grants and Rebates
Federal Solar Tax Credit
The Green Energy Tax Credit, also known as the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit is a 30% federal tax credit for the total costs of your solar installations. This is available to New York residents who install solar panels on their home OR business. This is one of the largest NY solar incentives and one of the most popular for that reason.
This federal tax credit includes the cost of your solar energy system, solar batteries, & solar installations. However, if you lease or finance your solar panels, you may not be eligible for this tax deduction. Talk to a solar expert about which solar incentives you qualify for.
New York State Solar Tax Credits
New York state also offers its own tax credit applied after installing solar panels on your home. This New York State tax credit is good for up to $5K or 25% of your state tax liability. The credit balance can be carried forward for up to five years' tax filings!
Read Also: The Complete Guide to New York Solar Tax Credits
NY Community Solar
Can you get solar energy without installing panels? New York is one of the only states working to make this a possibility for all. Solar For All works like a subscription service; you sign up to buy electricity from a community solar grid instead of getting it installed on your roof. With no up-front cost, you just start saving on your energy bills and pay less to the utility company. The downside here is that there are only so many slots available in certain regions, so you might end up on a waiting list. Qualifying residents can save up to hundreds of dollars on their utility bills.
Enter your zip code below to see if you may qualify for zero down solar!
Do I Qualify?
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Getting Free Solar Panels Installed in New York
With some of the best solar power incentives in the country, New York is quickly becoming one of the best states in America to adopt solar energy. New York has also led the nation in aggressive legislation to combat climate change, with targets for eliminating greenhouse gasses from the state's entire economy. Watch this space for updates, because New York gets things done fast!
We know you're busy. In just a few minutes, You can start your free customized solar quote! Have our team of NY solar experts put together a comprehensive report to show you all of your solar options and the best way to go solar in New York, for less. Start today!
Get started with your free NY Solar Savings quote!
Yes, It is possible to get solar panels installed for free in NY State with local solar programs and NY Solar Incentives. See how with out complete guide to getting Free Solar Panels in New York
Yes, you can reduce or eliminate your up-front solar costs by financing your solar panels in NY. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers finance options for installing solar panels. They are:
- On-Bill Recovery Loan - Finances your purchase as a flat billing added to your power bill
- Smart Energy Loans - NYSERDA will simply loan you the cost with interest and monthly payments
- Renewable Energy Tax Credit Bridge Loan - You get a loan based on your tax credit, borrowing the savings up front to pay back when the credit is applied.
Want to see how much you could save with solar in New York?
Use our Free Solar Savings Calculator to see your potential savings by switching to solar.