Use this guide
Choose the questions relevant to your situation. Expand each answer, save the checklist and request written clarification where evidence is missing.
Questions homeowners ask
Where does New York DPS direct me to check a solar provider?
DPS directs homeowners to confirm installation-provider registration through its Power to Choose site. Registration does not establish suitability for your project.
Source: New York DPS: consumer guide to rooftop solar. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Is NY-Sun contractor approval the same check?
No. DPS separately recommends checking whether the provider is an approved NY-Sun contractor. Do not treat two distinct checks as interchangeable.
Source: New York DPS: consumer guide to rooftop solar. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Which recurring bill charges should my proposal identify?
DPS lists utility basic service charges and the customer benefit contribution among items to review. Request the actual applicable account charges.
Source: New York DPS: consumer guide to rooftop solar. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
How should financing costs be presented?
DPS recommends itemizing financing duration, total interest and overall project cost. A monthly payment alone does not describe the full obligation.
Source: New York DPS: consumer guide to rooftop solar. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What should the agreement say about a roof leak?
DPS recommends identifying responsibility for leaks after installation and the protection’s duration. Read the actual provision and exclusions.
Source: New York DPS: consumer guide to rooftop solar. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What if service responsibility can be transferred?
DPS recommends assigning maintenance, repair and insurance responsibilities, including possible third-party transfers. Identify the actual responsible party.
Source: New York DPS: consumer guide to rooftop solar. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What should I check about selling the home?
DPS recommends disclosing restrictions on transferring or selling the system or property. Review your actual agreement before assuming a simple transfer.
Source: New York DPS: consumer guide to rooftop solar. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
How do I verify the business behind a familiar trade name?
Compare the legal entity named in the quote, contract, financing documents and official provider record. Ask the seller to explain any difference and identify who performs the work and responds to service requests. Keep dated results privately. A similar name or logo does not establish that two organizations are the same party.
How should I compare two New York solar proposals?
Use one household usage period and separately list system price, recurring utility charges, financing obligations and service responsibilities. Ask each provider to explain different assumptions. Verify current incentives with the administering authority before including them; this guide does not establish tax eligibility or a specific credit amount.
What should I prepare for a contract or billing inquiry?
Identify the disputed statement, relevant agreement provision, bill period and requested explanation. Keep provider responses and unresolved questions in date order. Use the applicable official inquiry route and share only necessary records. A site assessment can document observations, but it does not decide a contract dispute or guarantee a refund.
Your decision checklist
- Match the provider’s legal identity across documents.
- Check the DPS registration route and separate NY-Sun status.
- Request account-specific utility charges and assumptions.
- Compare total financing cost as well as monthly payments.
- Locate roof-leak duration and service responsibilities.
- Identify transfer or sale restrictions before relying on projections.
- Verify current incentive eligibility separately.
- Keep written responses and unresolved contract questions.
Save or print this guide from your browser. Keep completed records privately.
Continue your research
Build a New York provider and agreement comparison
| Comparison | Record to keep |
|---|---|
| Provider identity | Legal entity, dated registration check and explained name differences |
| Separate program status | NY-Sun check, project conditions and unresolved eligibility |
| Bill assumptions | Utility, account category, tariff date and recurring charges |
| Financial obligations | Total price, interest, payment schedule and excluded costs |
| Service responsibilities | Leak protection, maintenance, transfer terms and responsible party |
| Open question | Exact provision, written inquiry and provider response |
Example: one proposal includes recurring utility charges while another shows only the solar payment. Ask for a comparison using the same account and period before describing either as cheaper. The missing line item remains an unresolved assumption rather than evidence of a zero charge.
Example: a familiar brand appears on the brochure while another entity signs the installation contract. Request the legal relationship and service responsibilities in writing and use the official record for the entity actually named. A brand match does not establish identity or an endorsement.
Example: a salesperson says a roof leak will be handled, but the agreement does not identify the duration or responsible party. Request clarification before relying on that assurance. Keep the written provision distinct from an oral summary and from an insurer’s separate coverage decision.
Start provider checks through the official DPS Power to Choose route; the directory’s availability does not verify a named contractor in this guide. The DPS consumer guide supplies review guidance and describes protections; our worksheet is editorial advice and is not a complete statement of New York law. Continue with installer comparisons, financing records, bill reconciliation and service disputes. Review Solar Survey AI’s evidence methodology and confirm available survey scope. Our site observations do not certify provider registration, resolve contract rights or guarantee savings. Connected homeowner monitoring and free remote diagnosis remain coming soon.
About these guides
Published by Solar Survey AI, a commercial survey-services company. Our original decision checklists are recommendations; linked authorities support the referenced facts. We may benefit if you purchase our services. This is not independent certification of our company, a project-specific engineering decision or personal tax/legal advice. Local rules, contracts and site evidence control individual decisions. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
For available survey or inspection services, confirm your project scope and availability with our team. Our planned free homeowner remote diagnosis remains coming soon.
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