New York loves its Yankees — and its Sunpower solar panels.
A recent review of the Solar.com platform showed that homeowners in New York state chose SunPower above any other manufacturer by an impressive margin.
SunPower was the panel of choice 47 percent of the time. LG came in second at 21 percent, and Hanwa, REC, and Trina all tied for third at 11 percent.
Why does SunPower come in head and shoulders above its competitors in this market? There are a few factors that may come into play with New Yorks choice of solar panels.
Sunpower is a Leader in Efficiency for Solar Panels
Producing high-end solar panels, SunPower has set new records in the lab with 24.1 percent efficiency. Thats in best-case scenario conditions. In real-world conditions, it would more likely be around 20.6 percent, but thats still impressive considering most panels average between 15 and 18 percent efficiency.
These high-end panels might be so desirable for New Yorkers due to their ability to maximize available sunshine. In California – particularly in Southern California – homeowners have an average of 284 days of golden sunshine per year.
In the Northeastern latitudes like New York, sunny days average around 75 days per year across the state. When it is sunny, it might not be for long. The sun often peeks through rolling clouds, especially in the winter months.
When sunshine isnt as consistent, it makes sense to put the most efficient panels possible on your roof to capture every bit of potential energy. As a US-based manufacturer, SunPower also happens to be one of the greenest solar panel options available.
Lack of Roof Space Requires Fewer, More Efficient Panels
Another incentive for New York solar customers to choose SunPower could be the lack of roof space. In the Midwest and Western states, there tends to be more room to expand cities and build large homes with ample roof space.
Many households in the East have been there for a long time and may have been built when homes were smaller. Even if they are new homes, there is generally less room to build and grow in more historical cities.
When theres not as much room for panels, its generally a good idea to use the most efficient panels possible to “maximize” your roof space. You can fill the entire roof with efficient panels and youre more likely to offset household energy use, even with limited space up top.
New York Incentives Could Entice Buyers to Invest More
Another possibility is that, because solar incentives in New York are higher than any other place in the country, homeowners are willing to pay extra.
On top of that, New York has some of the most substantial solar rebates and incentives in the country. Homeowners are eligible for a 25 percent income tax credit off the solar system cost. Certain types of solar energy also qualify as exempt from sales tax, and residences in some areas are eligible for exemption from property tax.
When you invest in high-efficiency SunPower panels, youre more likely to recoup much of the initial cost with these incentives. New York has ambitious renewable energy goals, and solar is a big part of that.
Whether you live in New York or elsewhere, heres a helpful post on things to consider for a solar project due diligence. Of course, dont hesitate to run any questions about SunPower or anything solar by one of our energy advisors.
Household solar monitoring systems change the abstracts of power generation and consumption into graphics and numbers you can scroll through on an app. Hardware connected...
Solar panels and backup batteries get all the attention. But there’s another important piece of equipment to the home solar equation: mounting systems. These sturdy...
Solar.com is committed to providing our customers with the best customer service experience in the solar industry. In light of the ongoing developments around the...
U.S. Installed Solar Capacity: 2 Million Milestone
According to the most recent data released by Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the residential solar market in...
Solar Subcontractors: Should I use one to go solar?
So, youre interested in starting a solar project and now youre wondering, “who should be doing the installation work?” Well, more and more companies are...
5 Most Popular Solar Panels Chosen by Homeowners in 2018
Homeowners demand a lot from the solar panels they select for their rooftop system. These panels need to look good and perform well over multiple decades! Here...
According to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is on track to install 200 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2020. The country is fully embracing...
If you live in an area that experiences extreme weather like hurricanes, hail, thunderstorms, blizzards, heavy winds and more, then you should take the time...
If you have ever driven through a residential neighborhood in states like California, Arizona, North Carolina, or any of the other top states for solar,...
Hyundai and Panasonic are trusted brands and they’ve both expanded into the solar panel industry. Offering quality products for two different price points, each brand...
Should I Get a Solar Thermal System Instead of a PV System?
When you hear about installing solar, youre most likely hearing about PV (photovoltaic) solar cell panels. Theyve become standard in the industry. PV solar cell...
How Utility API Works With Your Utility and Solar Company
Utility API provides software to accelerate the clean energy movement. They do this, in part, by offering secure data on a homeowners energy usage to...
American Solar Panel Manufacturers - 2018 Complete List
There are many reasons why a consumer may want to purchase their solar panels from an American manufacturer or from American Solar brands. They want...
Solar panel mounts are a common component of almost every solar panel array. Although there are newer solar panel technologies coming out that do not...
Top 5 Solar Panels Selected Through Solar.com in 2017
Curious which solar panels are selected most on the Solar.com platform? As an online marketplace connecting quality solar companies to customers, we stay neutral...
SunPower Solar Panels vs. LG Solar Panels - 2018 Update
SunPower and LG are two of the top companies making solar panels. You’ve probably come across them in your research, and you’re wondering which will...
Solar technology has been in existence since 1876 when William Grylls Adams and his student researcher discovered that you can produce electricity by exposing selenium to...
Solar energy is taking shape across industries and geographies. Engineers at top solar panel companies are hard at work developing innovations making solar even more...
5 Reasons to Consider a Career in the Solar Industry
Solar energy, unfortunately, is still viewed as an alternate power source. However, in spite of this designation, it is quickly becoming the primary source of...
Amazon Has Finally Decided To Become A Leader in Renewable Energy
Back in 2015, Greenpeace did a sophisticated research project on the sustainability of the top tech giants in the United States. It covered many areas of sustainability,...
Most solar installation companies provide financial projections to homeowners estimating what their savings will be twenty or twenty-five years after the time of installation. But...
It’s International Women’s Day! Today we recognize and celebrate women all around the world. As a member of Solar.com’s female population, it’s necessary for me...
A Review of LG Solar Panels - When Brand Name Does Matter
LG is a brand you may already be familiar with. They are a South Korean multinational manufacturer that makes televisions, mobile devices, tablets, smartwatches and...
This paper highlights the importance of power tolerance when choosing solar panels. Power tolerance is a measure of how much electrical power a solar panel...
Gauging the Bankability of Small to Mid-Sized Solar Installers
The entire world is going green and moving toward cleaner sources of energy. California hosts a flourishing solar industry with a burgeoning number of solar...
At Solar.com, we believe in supplying quality equipment for our customers. In the last twenty years, solar technology has grown exponentially, costs have plummeted,...
Elon Musk's Gigafactory Should Be Dictating Your Solar Equipment
All solar installations today should be thinking ahead to the not-so-distant future. The main question to be asking is whether your solar system will seamlessly...
We all know why people go solar: investment purposes, immediate savings, environmental concerns, and grid independence. But who are these people? One of Malcom Gladwell’s...
The following letter is from a very reputable company in Solar.com’s installer network to a homeowner who was unfortunately taken advantage of by an installer...
Bankability: What it Means and Why it is Important for Your Solar...
Homeowners who are considering solar typically overlook the manufacturer of their solar panels, despite this being one of the most important factors for the longevity...
The U.S. Department of Energy invests in new technology to revolutionize the landscape of solar data. Reliable solar grid data, the true performance of solar...