Solar

Capitalize on financial opportunities to make installing or participating in a solar project affordable—regardless of your business’s budget or size

How It Works

Join the ever-increasing number of New York State business owners who are powering their companies with solar energy. The declining cost of solar, plus State incentives and Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, make it a smart investment for businesses of all types and sizes. By going solar, the average commercial property owner can reduce overall energy costs by up to 75 percent.

There are two primary ways to go solar—on-site property installation (rooftop- or ground-mounted) and community solar.  Read on to compare options and learn how solar can benefit your business.

On-Site Solar

For on-site installations, solar panels are mounted on either the roof of your building or the ground, depending on where conditions are best. If space is an issue, businesses might consider leveraging existing parking lots by installing solar carports to produce clean energy on-site. These ground-mounted solar canopies can be designed with built-in electric vehicle charging capabilities, providing additional benefits to businesses looking to transition their fleet.

Learn more about Solar for business

Community Solar 

If your location isn’t ideal for solar panels or you can’t install them on your property, consider community solar. Community solar is a collective array of panels installed in an off-site location, allowing you to access benefits from solar even if you can’t install panels at your business.

Find a Community Solar project

Businesses have two options for participating in community solar: subscription plans or purchase plans. 

Subscription Plans

With a subscription plan, businesses can reduce their energy costs and environmental footprint without having to own solar panels. Participating businesses receive a credit on their monthly electric bill based on how much energy is generated by their portion of the community solar project. Subscription plans involve little to no upfront cost to join and generally require a short-term commitment – sometimes month-to-month.

Purchase Plans

Community solar providers may offer purchase plans that allow businesses to own a portion of the panels at an off-site solar project. With this model, businesses receive a credit on their utility bill for every kilowatt-hour of solar energy produced. While purchasing solar panels carries upfront costs and a longer commitment, it lets businesses take advantage of tax credits and has greater savings potential overtime. 

Solar Plus Energy Storage

Energy storage systems allow businesses using renewables to store electricity and use it when they need it the most. When storage is paired with solar, you experience increased savings and a better return on investment.

Energy storage can complement all types of solar, such as on-site panels, off-site arrays, and community solar projects. Storage can also integrate with other energy efficiency and demand-response measures within a building to increase energy savings without sacrificing occupant comfort and often provide backup power in case of emergency. Energy storage systems may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.

Learn more about Energy Storage for businesses

How You Benefit

• Lower operating costs through reduced electricity bills
• Create stability during periods of rate changes and smooth out fluctuations caused by changing weather and time of day
• Access federal and local tax credits for eligible solar projects
• Enhance your brand reputation as an organization committed to sustainability
• Support the local economy—workers in your community will install the solar system
• Reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner and healthier community

When You Should Consider It

Solar may be good for your business if you are:

• Looking to establish more predictable electricity costs and reduce demand charges
• Working to reduce maintenance time or operating costs—solar and solar paired with storage require minimal maintenance and can reduce your monthly energy bills
• Operating equipment or systems that are mission-critical to run at all times (when paired with energy storage)
• Seeking ways to improve the value of your real estate
• Looking to positively differentiate your brand to customers and potential employees
• Trying to obtain or improve a green building certification for your building

You Might Also Be Interested In

Going solar can improve your bottom line and futureproof your business against volatile global energy markets. Consider maximizing your solar investment with additional cost-effective energy investments, including:

• Clean Heating and Cooling: Learn how technologies like cold-climate heat pumps can deliver year-round comfort, save energy, and reduce your carbon footprint.
• Electric Vehicles & Charging Stations: Converting your fleet and installing charging infrastructure can reduce costs and attract a growing customer base of electric vehicle owners.
• Real Time Energy Management: Optimize your energy use with smart building technologies that work in real time to monitor performance and detect inefficiencies.