New York Solar Panel Systems

Many would not believe it, but New York State, particularly Upstate, is a hotbed of Solar Energy. In fact, because of the extremely high electric prices across New York, it is more cost effective to have a Solar Panel System in New York than it is Southern California (even with cloudy weather and cold, long winters taken into account).

A recent study published in Home Power Magazine showed that a homeowner in the Capital Region of New York (the Albany Area) can save over $100 a year more than a homeowner in Southern California by installing similar Solar Panel Systems that produce the same amount of electricity.

This seems contrary to the popular belief that many people cling to when discussing (and dismissing) Solar Panel Systems in New York State.

Most people believe, and will tell you that Solar Panel Systems do not work in New York because there is not enough sun - the winters are too long and cold - or any host of hundreds of other reasons. But, the truth is, these people could not be further from the truth.

The reality is that Solar Energy is viable, cost-effective, and thriving in New York State for one simple, and important reason - the cost of electricity.

New Yorkers currently pay the third highest price for electricity in the country. The chart below shows the current trend in electric prices for New York State (from 9/2004 to 6/2007) and what electric prices could look like in New York if the current price increases continue at the same rate as they have in previous years.

Could you imaging paying over 50 cents per KWH for electricity within the next decade and a half? Can you imagine how much of a strain these electric prices would put on your cost of living expenses and your overall financial situation?

Simply look at the facts like this - let's compare a standard annual electric bill at the 2007 electric price versus the possible 2021 price. We will estimate these electric bills using the national average annual electric usage of 8900 kwh per year.

As every part of your cost of living continues to increase at exponential rates, can your income really support an electric bill of almost $5,000 a year?

That is the reason that Solar Panel Systems are the perfect choice for New York Residents that are looking for a safety net and protection against the increasing cost of electricity - you know as well as everyone that things will continue to get far worse before they get better.

New Yorkers have the option of two different types of Solar Panel Systems - Grid-Tie Solar Panel Systems and Off-Grid Solar Panel Systems.

Grid-Tie Solar Panel Systems

are Solar Panel Systems that are tied directly into the electric utility grid (your traditional source of electricity). This connection is a two way road that has many benefits to you, the owner. First, with a Grid-Tie Solar Panel System you have a 100% reliable backup power source. At night, and on cloudy days, your Solar Panel System will not be generating power, but you will still be consuming it - a Grid-Tie Solar Panel System allows you to use regular grid electricity to supplement your power needs and ensure that you are never without electricity.

Also, New York State offers Net Metering Laws, which require the electric company to purchase any excess electricity produced by your Solar Panel System from you at the same retail price you pay for their electricity. This essentially spins your electric meter backwards - and a properly sized system can take advantage of Net Metering to pay for itself in fewer years than other Solar Panel Systems.

Another great advantage of a Grid-Tie Solar Panel System is that you do not need to size the system to produce all of your electric needs - your Grid-Tie Solar Panel System can be sized produce any amount of your electric needs - from 1% up to 100% - and with a Grid-Tie Solar Panel System, expensive battery backups and charge controllers are optional, not required.

Off-Grid Solar Panel Systems

have one major advantage over Grid-Tie Solar Panel Systems - they are completely standalone and not connected to the electric utility grid. This is extremely important to clients who are looking to be completely self-sustained. However, because of this very reason, there are a few major detractions of Off-Grid Solar Panel Systems.

1. You must size an Off-Grid Solar Panel System to produce 100% of your electrical needs (including a backup supply for cloudy days and bad weather).
2. Off-Grid Solar panel Systems must include an expensive battery backup.
3. Off-Grid Solar Panel Systems must have a separate backup power source such as a generator, or the like.
4. Off-Grid Solar Panel Systems can not take advantage of Net Metering to provide additional payback and return on investment.

For these reasons, Silicon Solar recommends that our New York Customers use Off-Grid Solar Panel Systems only for remote locations such as cabins and lodges, or on homes that are completely energy efficient and optimized in order to limit initial costs and system size.

Incentives & Financial Information

To help pay for their Solar Panel System, New York Residents can take advantage of several Federal and State incentives and tax credits, which are designed to save hundreds or thousands of dollars, shorten the payback period of the Solar Panel System, and increase the lifetime ROI (return on investment).

Here are the current Solar Energy Incentives and Credits that are available on Solar Panel Systems installed in New York State

Look below to see how three different Solar Panel Systems pay for themselves and generate thousands of dollars in electricity savings over their lifetime in upstate New York (the Capitol Region).