Electrify your life™

Solar Panels for NYC & Long Island Homes

In addition to your average electricity use, our in-house design team will carefully ensure that your roof meets certain criteria to provide you with the best-performing solar panel system. Our in-house design team will consider your home’s average electricity use and balance aesthetics with efficiency to optimize your home solar system.

What makes a home a great candidate for solar?

Pitch

The best performing solar panel systems are installed on roofs pitched between 20° and 40°. Our solar systems typically cover 600-800 square feet, and weigh as little as a layer of shingles.

Obstructions + Shade

Ideal roofs are unobstructed by anything that can cause shade, such as trees and buildings, and are clear of obstructions, like chimneys or plumbing vent stacks, on south, east, and west-facing surfaces.

Material

Asphalt shingles, rolled asphalt, and metal seam roofs work best for solar systems, though there is no single roof material required. We’ll consider your roof’s material and age to ensure that it is capable of sustaining a solar system.

Solar Module: A panel made of crystalline semiconductors that converts sunlight into electricity.

Inverters: Devices that are used to convert direct current (DC) electricity produced by the panels into alternating current (AC) so it can connect to the main electrical systems.

Racking: Hardware used to mount the panels on your roof with a minimal profile to keep your installation sleek and aesthetically pleasing.

Monitoring System: Your system’s monitoring software provides a real-time visual of your solar system, as well as an estimate of bill savings and carbon dioxide emission reductions.

FAQ

How do solar panels work?

Solar panels collect sunlight throughout the day, automatically converting it into electricity, which is then transferred through the system’s inverter for household use. Energy produced by your solar system first powers your home, with excess unused energy sent to the electric utility’s grid for use by other homes and buildings.

How much energy does a solar panel produce?

Most solar panels range from 300 to 415 watts per panel. The energy produced is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) and will vary based on the direction and pitch of your roof. For example, a 360 watt panel facing due south will produce more energy than if it were facing east or west.

How long do solar panels last?

Solar panels last between 25 and 40 years. SunPower provides a 25-year combined power and product warranty, which is widely regarded as the industry’s best warranty.

Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

Yes, though they may produce less electricity depending on the density of the cloud cover.

Do solar panels work at night?

Solar panels do not produce energy when the sun isn’t shining. Luckily, in New York City and on Long Island, if you produce more than you use the excess energy is used to offset days when the sun isn’t shining.

Are solar panels worth it?

For the average homeowner, a solar system can pay for itself in about 5-7 years, with the return on investment typically about 15-20%. Most homeowners can expect to save more than $100,000 when considering the annual increase in electricity costs.