Solar on Long Island
Long Island is one of the strongest solar markets in the country, because PSEG Long Island rates sit well above the national average. Here's the straight version: what power costs, which installers we've vetted, the incentives worth stacking, and how Nassau and Suffolk differ.
Compare Long Island InstallersWhat power costs in Long Island
PSEG Long Island residential rates run well above the national average, commonly in the mid-to-high 20s of cents per kilowatt-hour.[1] New York State rates overall are among the highest in the nation.[2]
That spread is exactly why a Long Island system pays back faster than it would almost anywhere else.
Vetted Long Island installers
These are the installers on our roster that serve Long Island, written up honestly. We don't install panels, and the referral fee we earn is flat across every one of them, so there's no reason for us to steer you.
The most established residential solar installer on Long Island. Founded 2003 in Ronkonkoma, NYSERDA Platinum (a status held by only five installers in all of New York State), 8,000+ Long Island installations, and Best of Long Island Solar 15 years running. If you want the safest pick on Long Island, this is it.
EmPower opened on Long Island in 2003, the same year as SUNation. NYSERDA Gold status for the last three consecutive years, 50 MW of distributed solar deployed, NABCEP-certified crews. Installation experience reviews are strong, but long-term service quality has more variance. Best for homeowners willing to push for clear escalation paths up front.
Southampton-based LI installer that has installed primarily Maxeon (formerly SunPower) panels for two decades. Maxeon's 40-year panel performance warranty is the longest in residential solar. NYSERDA Gold 2023. Strong on coastal installs, where salt air and wind-load specs matter. Watch the long-term service reviews; ask about response time guarantees.
Northeast multi-state installer covering Long Island alongside CT, NYC, NJ, and more. A+ BBB, 4.2 reviews. The lease option is the differentiator versus the LI-native top three; Venture is one of the few in the Northeast that offers it alongside cash and loan.
Northport-based, founded 2009. Smaller and quieter than the big-three LI installers, with concentrated Suffolk County experience. Customer reviews emphasize honesty, attention to detail, and direct ownership access. Best fit for homeowners who want to skip the corporate sales process.
Long Island incentives for 2026
Long Island homeowners can stack state, utility, and federal programs. They combine.
A per-watt incentive for residential systems through NYSERDA's NY-Sun program, tracked on the Long Island Megawatt Block dashboard, plus New York State's 25% solar tax credit.[4]
Your exported solar is credited through PSEG Long Island's net-metering and VDER value-stack rules, with credits banked against future bills.[5]
A third-party owner claims the 30% commercial Clean Electricity ITC and passes the value to you through a discounted prepaid-lease price.[3]
System cost and payback in Long Island
Long Island system pricing is fairly consistent across the Island, but Nassau and Suffolk differ on permitting timelines and some town-level rules, which can affect how fast you get to install. We break down the numbers on our Long Island page.
Long Island solar by county
Sources
- PSEG Long Island, "Electric Rate Information" (current residential rates and tariffs). psegliny.com
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, "Electric Power Monthly," average residential electricity price by state (New York among the highest in the nation). eia.gov
- Internal Revenue Service, "Clean Electricity Investment Credit" (Section 48E), the 30% commercial credit passed through to homeowners via a prepaid lease. irs.gov
- NYSERDA, NY-Sun program and Long Island dashboard (per-watt residential incentive; New York State 25% solar tax credit). nyserda.ny.gov
- PSEG Long Island, net metering and the VDER value stack for residential solar. psegliny.com
Compare Long Island solar without the sales pitch
Tell us about your home and we'll bring you vetted LI installers to compare, read the contract with you, and help you decide. Free, no pressure, no obligation.