Solar FAQ

Yes, it is possible to install solar panels on buildings in New York City, and in fact, many buildings in the city have already done so. According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), over 43,000 private residential properties in New York City have installed solar on their rooftops.

The cost of solar panels in New York City has decreased significantly in recent years, and there are also financing options and tax incentives available to help make solar more affordable. Urbanstrong even has a 'No Investment' option where buildings can go solar without investing anything, ever.

Yes, most definitely. With each of our solar proposals, Urbanstrong calculates the expected amount of electricity to be generated and the corresponding dollar amount of LL97 fines this renewable energy will offset for your building.

For installing solar panels on NYC buildings, there are a range of financial incentives available at the city, state and federal level. These include property tax abatements, state grants, federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation. And for those owners who don't pay federal income tax, like coop and condo boards, the federal tax credits can be easily transferred or sold to make sure they don't miss out on these savings. For nonprofits, there is an option for Direct Pay under the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). 501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive tax credits (they appear as a tax refund) directly as cash payments.

At roughly 5-6 pounds per square-foot, solar arrays are very lightweight and can usually be installed on most existing buildings without any need for structural reinforcements. In New York, a professionally licensed structural engineer must first survey the roof to confirm there is existing capacity. This service is included in your quote and is taken care of by the Urbanstrong solar team.

Absolutely. The Urbanstrong team has dozens of clients all across the city who have invested in rooftop solar and now enjoy a steady stream of passive income. It's like this: solar photovoltaic (PV) panels catch sunlight falling from the sky and turn it into money. With solar panels, it's like money is falling from the sky and solar panels are the buckets. Urbanstrong sells buckets. Stop thinking of your roof as a lid that's just used to keep you dry. Start thinking of it as a bucket. Urbanstrong can put your roof to work for you. Contact us now.

The amount of energy that can be generated by solar panels in New York City varies depending on the size of the system, the orientation and tilt of the panels, and other factors. However, many buildings in the city are able to generate a significant portion of their energy needs with solar panels. Or, an even more lucrative option is to export/sell to Con Edison 100% of the electricity your system produces. In many parts of the city Con Edison pays a much higher rate to buy locally produced electricity than what they charge buildings to buy it. Effectively, buildings can "Sell High, Buy Low" for a steady stream of passive income.

The payback period for solar panel installation in New York City can vary depending on factors such as the size of the system, the cost of electricity, and the financial incentives available. However, many solar panel systems in the city have a payback period of around 6-8 years for brownstones and 3-5 years for coops and condos, after which the energy savings can be significant.

In order to install solar panels in New York City, Urbanstrong's solar team will need to obtain permits from the Department of Buildings and the utility company, but the process is generally straightforward and we take care of everything for you.

Yes, under the Net Metering program, building owners with rooftop solar arrays can transfer electricity they do not use back into the grid in exchange for credits on their utility bills. There are however many drawbacks and limitations to this program. In many parts of the city, the Community Solar program is far more lucrative for building owners looking to maximize the profitability of a rooftop solar array. To learn more, see our blog post ‘When Is Community Solar Much Better Than Net Metering?’.

There are many reputable solar panel installers in New York City, and it is important to choose one with experience and a good track record. You can also ask for references and check online reviews to ensure that you are choosing a reliable installer. Urbanstrong has a long list of satisfied solar clients and references we'd be happy to share with you.

Solar panel installation has a positive environmental impact in New York City, as it helps to reduce the city's reliance on fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions.

Solar panels require relatively little maintenance, with periodic cleaning and inspections being the main tasks. For peace of mind though, Urbanstrong's solar panel systems also come with 25-year warranties and remote monitoring systems to ensure that they continue to function properly.