15 Best Solar Companies in Ithaca, NY (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Ithaca based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Ithaca, NY
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Ithaca homeowner saves $1,016/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Ithaca
When choosing between the best solar panel companies, Ithaca homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make switching to solar power that much easier. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with solar panels, you can save about $12,000 on your utility bills.
If you want to start taking advantage of the many perks of solar, we can help you narrow down your options to find the Ithaca solar installer that’s in the right price range for you.To get a sense of how much it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Ithaca
Paradise Energy Solutions
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Intelligent Green Solutions (IGS)
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Renovus Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
SunMaxx Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Alternative Power Solutions of NY, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
ETM Solar Works
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
PTM SOLAR INC.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
Qwiksolar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
Allstate Roofing & More LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
Southern Tier Solar Works
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Nickels Energy Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
Green Visions Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Solar Opportunities, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
State Fair Solar Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
Solar & Wind FX Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Ithaca
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Ithaca based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Ithaca
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for New York solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Ithaca
For many people, the decision of which solar installer to hire depends on costs.Some main factors that dictate how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- The kind of solar panel system you can buy: This depends on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their overall solar costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $12,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
- Your current electricity bills: Solar panels can noticeably lower, or totally eradicate, your utility bills. In Ithaca, you can save an average of $826 a month.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too steep of an option for homes that don’t consume a good amount of energy per month.
Thanks to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a sound investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Ithaca
There are a lot of reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them includes some government incentives that can save you money.Local solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Ithaca
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.A question many might be wondering about is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? The average person has a sizable carbon footprint. Between their car, which produces over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year, and powering their home, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do. Installing solar panels is a practical thing you can do to help.In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 pounds each year. For those who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Ithaca, NY Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Ithaca is Paradise Energy Solutions, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it gives you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a large upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
When should I install solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the perfect time is actually winter. You can save money since there's not as much demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.