Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Hawthorne, New York. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A leading regional installer with a strong presence in the Northeast, including New York and New Jersey. They are known for their comprehensive in-house services, from custom design and engineering to installation and maintenance. Their expertise with New York-specific incentives like NYSERDA programs and the federal tax credit is a significant strength.
As one of the largest dedicated residential solar companies in the U.S., Sunrun offers significant brand recognition and a primary focus on solar leasing and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). This provides a low-upfront-cost path to solar for many homeowners. They also offer battery storage, notably the Sunrun Brightbox, for energy security.
A New York-focused solar installer that has built a strong reputation for understanding the local permitting, utility interconnection (specifically for Con Edison in Westchester), and incentive landscape. They emphasize custom system design and a high-touch customer service experience.
** The home solar market in Hawthorne, NY, is robust and competitive, driven by some of the highest electricity rates in the country from utility provider Con Edison. This creates a strong financial incentive for homeowners to switch to solar. The market is served by a mix of large national players (like Sunrun) and highly-rated regional specialists (like Green Power Energy and New York State Solar) who have a deep understanding of New York State's specific programs, including NYSERDA incentives and the complex interconnection process with Con Edison. **Average Quality & Competition:** The competition is strong, which generally benefits the consumer through competitive pricing and higher service standards. The top-tier companies are all highly professional, licensed, insured, and carry certifications from major manufacturers. **Typical Pricing:** As a high-cost area, system prices in Westchester are above the national average, but the return on investment is also higher due to the avoided cost of Con Edison's high rates. A typical residential system (6-8 kW) can range from **$25,000 to $40,000+ before incentives**. After the 30% federal tax credit and applicable NYSERDA rebates, the net cost is significantly reduced, often leading to a payback period of 6-9 years. Financing options, including loans and leases, are widely available and very popular.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Hawthorne regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Hawthorne, New York.
For a typical 8kW system in Hawthorne, costs before incentives range from $25,000 to $35,000. Crucially, you can combine the 30% federal tax credit with New York State's specific incentives, including the NYSERDA Megawatt Block Incentive (which provides a cash rebate per watt) and the property tax exemption for the added home value from solar. Westchester County also exempts solar equipment from sales tax, significantly lowering the net cost.
Hawthorne experiences four distinct seasons, which impacts solar output. Summer offers the most sun and highest production, while shorter winter days with potential snow cover reduce it. However, solar panels operate efficiently in cold, sunny weather, and New York receives sufficient annual sunlight to make solar highly viable. Proper system design accounts for seasonal angles and snow shedding to maximize year-round energy generation for your home.
Installation requires a building permit from the Town of Mount Pleasant, which includes Hawthorne. Your installer will typically manage this process, ensuring compliance with local building and electrical codes. If your home is in a historic district or has a homeowners association (HOA), there may be additional architectural review requirements, though New York State law (Property Tax Law § 487) restricts HOAs from unreasonably prohibiting solar installations.
Select a provider with extensive local experience in Westchester County. Key factors include proper NYSERDA eligibility, licensing (they should be a licensed master electrician or work with one), and strong references from nearby installations. Always review multiple detailed quotes, verify they will handle local permitting and interconnection with Con Edison, and check their track record for post-installation service and monitoring support.
Standard grid-tied systems shut off during an outage for safety unless paired with a battery storage solution. For backup power, you would need a system with batteries. For net metering, Con Edison's program credits you for excess solar energy sent to the grid, rolling over credits month-to-month. Your bill is settled annually in April, making system sizing critical to maximize your credits against Hawthorne's high electricity rates without overproducing.