Best Solar Companies in NYC (2026)
NYC solar is unlike anywhere else: DOB permits, Local Law 92/94, brownstone roofs, Con Edison's VDER tariff, co-op boards. We ranked 7 installers on whether they actually know how to handle all of it — so you don't have to find out the hard way.
⚠️ Federal solar ITC expired December 31, 2025. NY state & NYC incentives remain strong — see below.
Quick Comparison: All 7 NYC Solar Companies
Sorted by our overall ranking. Scroll right on mobile.
| # | Company | Rating | NY Licensed | BBB | Workmanship | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamtech Solar | 4.9 | A+ | 25 years | Best Overall | |
| 2 | Brooklyn Solar Works | 4.7 | A | 10 years | Best for Brooklyn & Queens | |
| 3 | Solar Energy World NY | 4.5 | A | 10 years | Best for Long Island | |
| 4 | Sunrun (NY Division) | 4.2 | B+ | Covered under lease agreement | Best for Leases & PPAs | |
| 5 | LGCY Power (NY) | 4.1 | B+ | 10 years | Best for Westchester | |
| 6 | Trinity Solar (NY) | 4.0 | B | 10 years | Best for NJ Crossover | |
| 7 | Green Power Energy (NY) | 3.9 | B | 5 years | Worth Considering |
Kamtech Solar
4.9Kamtech Solar has earned the top spot in our NYC rankings by solving the problems that trip up most installers in this market: DOB permitting complexity, Local Law 92 and 94 compliance for flat roofs, co-op board coordination, and the unique structural challenges of brownstones, row houses, and pre-war buildings. Unlike national chains that avoid the city's permitting complexity, Kamtech has built its entire business model around NYC's regulatory environment. Their 25-year workmanship warranty is the longest we've verified from any NYC-market installer, and their equipment tier — SunPower Maxeon, REC Alpha, Panasonic — is genuinely premium. They're more expensive than budget options, but the warranty backstop and NYC-specific expertise justify the premium for homeowners who want no surprises.
Equipment & Service
- Founded:
- 2016
- Service Area:
- All 5 boroughs, Westchester, Long Island, NJ (Jersey City, Hoboken)
- Panels:
- SunPower Maxeon, REC Alpha, Panasonic EverVolt
- Inverters:
- Enphase IQ8, SolarEdge HD-Wave
- Battery Storage:
- Enphase IQ Battery, Tesla Powerwall 3
- Financing:
- Cash, Mosaic loan, NY Green Bank financing
Warranty Coverage
- Workmanship:
- 25 years
- Panels:
- 25 years (product + performance)
- Inverter:
- 12 years (extended)
Pros
- 25-year workmanship warranty — strongest in NYC market
- DOB and LL92/94 compliance handled in-house
- Serves all 5 boroughs including complex flat-roof brownstones
- Con Edison and PSEG Long Island interconnection expertise
- NYSERDA NY-Sun certified contractor
Cons
- —Premium pricing — 10–15% above market median
- —5–7 week wait list during peak season (spring/summer)
Rankings #2–7: Full Reviews
All companies reviewed hold valid New York contractor licenses. Ratings reflect equipment quality, warranty terms, NYC-specific expertise, and verified customer feedback.
Brooklyn Solar Works
Best for Brooklyn & QueensBrooklyn Solar Works is the most community-rooted installer on our list — a certified B Corporation that has operated in Brooklyn since 2013 and has deep roots in the neighborhoods they serve. Their expertise in Brooklyn's brownstone and row house rooflines is unmatched, and their customer reviews consistently cite transparency, community alignment, and thorough post-install support. If you're in Brooklyn or Queens and want to work with a local, mission-driven company, Brooklyn Solar Works is the strongest option. The 10-year workmanship warranty is a step down from Kamtech, but their track record speaks for itself.
Solar Energy World NY
Best for Long IslandSolar Energy World NY has operated on Long Island longer than any other installer on this list, and that history translates into mastery of PSEG Long Island's interconnection process, NY-Sun rebate application, and Nassau/Suffolk permitting offices. If you're in Nassau or Suffolk County, their depth of local experience is a strong asset. They're less suited to the five boroughs, where Kamtech or Brooklyn Solar Works have more relevant expertise.
Sunrun (NY Division)
Best for Leases & PPAsSunrun is the right answer for a specific type of homeowner: someone who wants solar with zero upfront cost and is willing to trade ownership for simplicity. The NY state income tax credit requires ownership, so lease customers forgo up to $5,000 in state credits — that's a material financial tradeoff. For homeowners who can access financing, owning the system is almost always better financially in New York. But if capital is the constraint, Sunrun's lease structure gets you generating immediately.
LGCY Power (NY)
Best for WestchesterLGCY Power's Westchester operation fills a niche: NYC metro homeowners in the suburbs who want a mid-tier installer with local presence. Their pricing is competitive and their Westchester permitting relationships are solid. For Brooklyn or Manhattan installations, their experience is less relevant — but for Yonkers, White Plains, or New Rochelle homeowners, they're worth a quote alongside the top-ranked options.
Trinity Solar (NY)
Best for NJ CrossoverTrinity Solar is the dominant installer in New Jersey's Hudson County market — Jersey City, Hoboken, and Bayonne homeowners looking to access NJ's SREC-II program alongside NY incentives will find Trinity has the most relevant cross-state experience. For purely NYC installations, Kamtech or Brooklyn Solar Works are better fits. Trinity's B BBB rating warrants careful reference checking before signing.
Green Power Energy (NY)
Worth ConsideringGreen Power Energy's low pricing is their headline — and for a simple, standard asphalt-shingle rooftop with good solar access, their installation quality is acceptable. The 5-year workmanship warranty is the primary concern: NYC installations carry added permitting, structural, and code-compliance complexity that makes post-install warranty coverage more important than in simpler markets. Get their quote, compare it against Kamtech, and weigh whether the upfront savings justify the warranty gap.
NYC & NY State Solar Incentives in 2026
What remains after the federal ITC expired December 31, 2025.
⚠️ Federal ITC Gone: The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. New York homeowners still have one of the strongest state + local incentive stacks in the US.
NY State Income Tax Credit
25%, up to $5,000New York State gives you 25% of your solar system cost as a direct income tax credit, capped at $5,000. Requires system ownership — lease/PPA customers do not qualify. This is one of the strongest remaining state-level solar credits in the US.
NYSERDA NY-Sun Rebate
$0.20–$0.40/wattNYSERDA's NY-Sun program provides upfront rebates applied directly to your project cost before you pay. The rebate rate varies by installation location and falls as the program fills — apply early in 2026 to capture the full rate.
NYC Solar Property Tax Abatement
Up to 30% over 4 yearsNYC property owners can claim up to 30% of system cost as a property tax abatement, spread across 4 tax years. Only available on NYC properties. Requires ownership — lease systems do not qualify. One of the most valuable local solar incentives in the country.
NY & NYC Sales Tax Exemption
Up to 8.875% waivedNew York fully exempts solar equipment from state sales tax (4%), and NYC exempts the local portion (4.875%). Combined, NYC homeowners save up to 8.875% on equipment costs — approximately $2,300 on a $26,000 system.
Con Edison VDER / Value Stack
$0.18–$0.24/kWh creditsCon Edison's Value of Distributed Energy Resources tariff credits excess solar production based on time, location, and grid value — often exceeding simple retail rate credits. Your installer should calculate VDER projections, not generic net metering estimates.
PSEG Long Island Net Metering
Full retail rate creditsLong Island homeowners served by PSEG receive full retail rate credits for excess solar production under New York's net metering rules. PSEG LI's rates currently run $0.24–$0.27/kWh, making solar savings comparable to Westchester and NYC.
Real Example: Stacking NYC Incentives on a $26,000 System
Illustrative example. Actual incentives depend on system size, income, and NYC property tax situation. Federal ITC not included — expired December 31, 2025. Consult a tax professional.
2026 NYC Solar System Cost Estimates
"After All" column includes NY State 25% credit (max $5,000), NYSERDA NY-Sun rebate, NYC property tax abatement (over 4 years), and sales tax exemption. Federal ITC not included.
| System Size | Gross Cost | After NY 25% Credit | After All Incentives | Est. Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $16,800–$21,600 | $11,800–$16,600 | ~$7,500–$11,000 | ~$1,200 |
| 8 kW | $22,400–$28,800 | $17,400–$23,800 | ~$10,500–$15,500 | ~$1,600 |
| 10 kW | $28,000–$36,000 | $23,000–$31,000 | ~$13,500–$20,000 | ~$2,000 |
| 12 kW | $33,600–$43,200 | $28,600–$38,200 | ~$17,000–$25,000 | ~$2,400 |
Estimates for NYC installations as of March 2026. Actual cost varies by borough, roof type, and equipment. Federal ITC expired January 1, 2026 — not reflected. Tax credit eligibility subject to your tax situation.
How We Ranked These Companies
SolarPro Lab evaluated NYC-market solar installers across seven criteria: NY and NYC contractor licensing status, DOB permitting experience (verified by pulling permit records), workmanship warranty length, equipment tier, BBB standing and complaint resolution history, NYSERDA certification status, and verified customer review patterns across Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.
We did not accept payment from any company for placement in these rankings. We contacted each company directly, requested sample proposals, and where possible reviewed DOB permit filing records to verify claimed installation volumes in the five boroughs.
Disclosure: SolarPro Lab facilitates solar installations in the NYC metro area through its installer network, which includes Kamtech Solar. Our editorial rankings reflect our independent assessment of each company's merits. Kamtech Solar earned the #1 position on quality criteria, not on the basis of our business relationship.
6 NYC-Specific Red Flags to Watch For
NYC's solar market has unique pitfalls that don't exist in suburban or rural markets. These are the warning signs that should make you walk away or ask much harder questions.
No NYC or NY State Contractor License
Any company installing solar on a NYC property must be licensed by the NYC Department of Buildings and hold a valid NY Home Improvement Contractor license. Verify both before signing. An unlicensed installation will not pass DOB inspection and may void your incentive eligibility.
No DOB Permit Experience
NYC's Department of Buildings permitting process is more complex than any other market in the US. Companies that primarily operate in suburbs and take on occasional NYC work routinely underestimate permit timelines by 4–8 weeks. Ask specifically: how many NYC DOB solar permits have you pulled in the past 12 months?
Lease-Only Offers That Don't Mention the Credit Loss
The NY State 25% income tax credit (up to $5,000) and the NYC property tax abatement (up to 30%) both require system ownership. A lease or PPA customer forfeits these incentives. Any sales rep who doesn't disclose this is either uninformed or deliberately omitting it.
Con Ed VDER Tariff Confusion
Con Edison's Value Stack (VDER) tariff is different from simple retail net metering. Savings projections based on Con Ed's retail rate may overstate or understate your actual credits depending on your system size and production timing. Ask for projections calculated under the actual VDER tariff.
Same-Day Signing Pressure
The 'price expires tonight' tactic is especially common in NYC's solar market due to high-pressure door-to-door sales in dense neighborhoods. No reputable installer will revoke their proposal because you took 48 hours to review it. Walk away from anyone who insists otherwise.
No LL92/94 Knowledge on Roof Replacement Projects
If you're replacing your roof alongside solar, Local Laws 92 and 94 may require specific coverage percentages. An installer unaware of this requirement may design a system that fails DOB inspection or doesn't meet the legal mandate — leaving you liable for code violations.