RIGHT NOW IS THE VERY BEST TIME TO GO SOLAR ON LONG ISLAND!

Long Island, with its high electric rates and above average amount of sunshine, is ideal for solar energy. State tax credits and improved technology make it even more appealing for Island residents to enjoy – and employ – the power of the sun. New York’s Solar Choice Act offers residential customers “net metering” and tax credits for installing PV systems. You have up to five years to take a NY tax credit of 25% of your photovoltaic (PV) system’s cost after rebates - up to a $5,000 maximum. Solar Choice also allows homeowners to feed PV power back to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) at retail price. At times you can even see your electric meter run backward. In addition, LIPA is currently offering homeowners and businesses a cash incentive to buy a solar electric system with an upfront rebate of $3,500 per kilowatt of PV capacity, up to $35,000 maximum rebate for a 10-kilowatt system. LIPA has only set aside funds for 1,000 kW of PV system rebates, so don't procrastinate for too long (you can check how much rebate money is left at http://www.lipower.org/cei/solar.rebate.html ). With current incentives, right now is the very best time for Long Island residents and businesses to go solar!

Can I get this information in a nice, printable version?

Sure! Download our free PV Fact Sheet (requires Adobe Acrobat, available here).

What is a photovoltaic system?

A residential photovoltaic system is made up of solar electric panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity, plus an inverter to adapt the electricity for home use and components designed safely connect your system to utility power lines.

What do these systems cost?

PV systems are modular - you can start small and add on later. A medium-size residential system (3 kW) designed to meet about half of a typical homeowner's electric needs would cost about $24,000 before the LIPA rebate, Federal lncome Tax Credit, and NY State Income Tax Credit. LIPA's upfront cash rebate on this size system would be (3 x $3,500 = ) $10,250 and the State Income Tax Credit $3,187.50 (25% of $12,750). The Federal tax credit of 30% of net cost (capped at $2,000) brings the cost down to $10,750 for a $24,000 system. A quality PV system will last well over 25 years with a minimum of maintenance.

How much electricity will a PV system generate?

That depends on the size (or "capacity") of the PV array. For example, a 3 kilo-watt (kW) PV system generates around 3,150 kilowatt hours of electricity per year on Long Island. Year to year, the output of a PV system fluctuates very little.

How does solar power protect the environment?

Solar power improves air quality and public health. Over 20 years, one 3 kW PV system in New York will eliminate 65 tons of carbon dioxide (the chief greenhouse gas responsible for global warming and climate change), 670 pounds of sulfur dioxide (contributes to acid rain), and 250 pounds of nitrogen oxides (primary ingredient of smog).

What is net metering?

Net metering connects your PV system to your existing electric meter. When a Long Island home uses electricity provided by LIPA, the meter spins forward. But when a PV system generates solar power, the meter spins backward and the home is, in effect, feeding energy back to LIPA. Monthly billing is only for net consumption - the amount of electricity consumed less the amount of electricity produced. Net metering saves money, eliminates the need for special storage batteries and gives homeowners credit at residential rates for solar energy produced. In New York, residential customers with PV systems of less than 10 kW of capacity qualify for net metering when they are connected to the electric grid in accordance with requirements established by the NY Public Service Commission.

How does the solar income tax credit work?

A New York taxpayer can claim a state income tax credit of 25% of allowable costs or net cost, whichever is less, of a solar photovoltaic system on their primary residence, up to a maximum of $5,000. Allowable cost is calculated at $6,000 per kW of PV capacity. A 3 kW system yields a credit of $3,000 (25% of net cost of $12,000).

What is the process for "going solar"?

Take our solar quiz to find out if you're a good candidate for solar.
Calculate your potential savings using our solar calculator.
Find a suitable contractor using our Find-a-Contractor pages.
Reserve your rebate with LIPA

Usually your contractor or installer will walk you through the process of applying for incentives and rebates. And, often your installer will charge you only the net amount, after rebates or incentives. In this case, the rebate dollars go directly to your installer.

Click here for the forms you will need to reserve and receive money from LIPA's Solar Pioneer rebate program.
Building permits

Your installer will need to obtain various permits from your city or county building department before adding a renewable energy system. You will likely need to purchase a building permit, an electrical permit, or both to legally begin installation.

Typically, your contractor or licensed installer will obtain these permits for you, rolling the price of the permits into the overall system price.

Always make sure that permitting costs and responsibilities are addressed with your installer at the start of the process.

Whatever you do, don't short cut the building permit process. Remember, the building permit helps insure that the grid and your home are safe for everyone.

Code requirements vary somewhat from one jurisdiction to the next, but most are based upon national electrical code standards.

Click here to check the requirements for your area of Long Island.
Net Metering Agreement

Net metering means the utility company charges you the difference between what you consume from the grid and the electricity you generate.

This allows your electric meter to spin forward when electricity flows from the utility into your home (at night and during stormy weather), and backwards when your renewable energy system produces surplus electricity that is not immediately used by your house (during the middle of the day).

Most existing utility meters will work for net metering. But, you will need to establish an interconnection agreement with LIPA to get a net-metering account.

Your installer should handle much of this paperwork for you.

This agreement will ask you to demonstrate that your system was installed to certain building codes and electrical standards, prove that your system is insured, and show that your utility has access to a disconnect in case they need to shut your system down to service the grid --- line repair men need to be kept safe from your system when they are working on the grid.

Remember, we're all connected together through the power grid. The interconnection agreement helps make sure everyone’s power remains safe and of high quality and reliability.

Net Metering allows you to receive credit for the excess power you produce.

Contact LIPA to learn more:
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
Tel: 1-800-490-0025
www.lipower.org/cei/solar.metering.html
Building Inspection

If a building permit was required, after your system is installed your local permitting agency, usually a building or electrical inspector, needs to inspect and sign off on your system.

In all cases LIPA must inspect your system before it is turned on.

Depending upon the inspection, your system may need corrections or modifications to satisfy the inspector’s requirements. Corrections are fairly common in the construction business, so don't be alarmed if they are requested of you and your installer.

A copy of the building permit (if it was required) showing final inspection sign off, homeowners insurance, and a recent utility statement showing electrical service at the installation location are required to obtain a rebate from LIPA and warranty programs.
Utility Inspection

As part of your Net Metering agreement, LIPA requires that they inspect your renewable energy installation before you turn it on and connect to the grid. Details are provided by LIPA and are in your Net Metering Agreement. Usually your installer will help you with this inspection.
Insurance and Warranty

You will want to add your system to your homeowner’s insurance policy, to protect this valuable asset. Contact your home insurance agent. You will also want to send in your equipment warranty cards.

Does the angle at which you mount a PV system affect its output?

Yes, it does. Here is how PV Collector Tilt away from your latitude will affect PV panel output (shown as a percent of the potential for 100% output, and 41 degrees latitude is assumed)

	0	15	30	41	60	75	90	<— Tilt from horizon (south)
0	86%	96%	100%	100%	93%	82%	66%
30	86%	95%	98%	97%	90%	79%	65%
60	86%	91%	91%	89%	80%	71%	59%
90	86%	85%	81%	76%	67%	58%	48%
Λ Degrees (east or west) from true south

Source: Christie Herig, NREL, using PVWatts

Ready to crunch some numbers?

User our solar calculator to determine how large a system you would need, what it costs, how much electricity it will generate, and how many pounds of pollutants it will keep out of our air. Just click the "Calculate Savings" button, enter your electricity consumption, and you are on your way to becoming a solar pioneer.

Where do I find qualified contractors?

It's one-stop-shopping on www.LIshines.org: Once you have entered your electricity consumption you can select from a list of Pre-Screened contractors and send out a request for bids right from your keyboard.

Can I get more info about installing solar in New York?

Sure! Download the NY Consumer Guide to Buying a Solar Electric System. (70 MB PDF file)

Got more questions? Visit FindSolar.com for searchable FAQs!