What to evaluate before installing solar on an NYC or Long Island home
Summary
Solar works best on a sound, unshaded roof that will not need replacing for many years. A good proposal is based on your own roof and electric bills, includes permits and utility interconnection, and states its assumptions.
Roof condition comes first
Solar panels typically remain on the roof for 25 years or more. If your roof is near the end of its life, replacing it first is often cheaper than removing and reinstalling the panels later.
What decides the size
- Usable roof area after fire code setbacks and pathways
- Shade from trees and nearby buildings
- Roof direction and pitch
- How much electricity you use, from 12 months of bills
- Whether your electrical panel can take the connection
Permits and the utility
Solar needs building and electrical permits (opens an external site), and the utility has to approve the connection before the system is turned on. In NYC the fire code requires clear access paths on the roof, which limits where panels can go.
Expect several weeks to a few months from contract to turn-on, mostly for approvals.
Incentives
The federal residential solar tax credit (opens an external site) ended for systems whose installation is completed after December 31, 2025. A system paid for in 2025 but completed in 2026 does not qualify. New York State still offers a 25 percent income tax credit (opens an external site) of up to $5,000, and NYC offers a property tax abatement for solar (opens an external site). The NY-Sun cash incentive (opens an external site) for standard residential systems has been phased out in the Con Edison and Long Island regions; an incentive for income-qualified households may remain. Rules change, so ask for a proposal that lists each incentive it counts on, and confirm tax questions with your own tax advisor.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put solar on a flat roof in the city?
In most cases, yes. Flat roofs use tilted racks, and the layout must keep the fire code access paths clear.
What does EPC mean?
Engineering, procurement and construction: one contractor handles the design, buys the equipment and builds the system.
Sources
5 sources
- FAQs on energy credit changes under Public Law 119-21 (opens an external site)Internal Revenue Service
- Solar Energy System Equipment Credit (opens an external site)New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
- NY-Sun: Solar for Homes (opens an external site)NYSERDA
- Solar Electric Generating System (SEGS) Tax Abatement (opens an external site)NYC Department of Finance
- Project Requirements: Design Professional - Solar (opens an external site)NYC Department of Buildings
This guide reflects our experience and our interpretation of the rules as of the date it was published or last updated. Regulations, codes, incentives and the way agencies enforce them change often, and our interpretation may be incomplete or wrong. It is general information, not legal, engineering, tax or financial advice. Consult the relevant agency and a licensed professional before you plan, purchase or begin any work. Reading this guide does not make you our client and does not create any contractor, consulting or advisory relationship. Outstanding Construction Inc is not liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on this content, and is responsible only for work performed under a written contract signed with us.