I'd been thinking about going solar for years, but there was always a reason why I couldn't. "It's expensive", "I can't afford it right now", "It will look ugly", etc. This year I finally decided to just do it. I spent some time investigating all the incentives (Federal, NY State and NYC). I did a little math, consulted a tax accountant, talked to my bank and figured out how I could swing it financially. I knew I needed a high efficiency solar panel because I live in the Bronx. Most homes in NYC are taller than they are wide / long. If you don't have a big roof area, you need a higher efficiency panel to maximize the amount of power you produce because you can't fit too many panels on your roof. I must confess that I am partial to Sunpower. They are a US-based company that makes a premium solar panel. They've done a great job of improving the efficiency of their panels through innovation and engineering. But a great panel can't make up for a bad installation. I started my search for a good solar installer reading online reviews from Google, Yelp and others. During a particular bout of sales cycle frustration, I called Empower. I hadn't called them previously because they weren't in NYC. I figured the Bronx would be outside the territory of a Long Island-based company, or if they did take my call, they'd never admit to not being able to traverse NYC's infamous regulatory morass. By the time Mat from Empower Solar showed up I was more than a little skeptical. I was pleasantly surprised when he knew his stuff. When he didn't know something, he committed to getting back to me and much to my surprise, he did! Empower sent folks to check the structural integrity of my roof. They checked the condition of my roof shingles. They sent someone to measure the amount of sunlight that hits my roof on both the south and north-facing side. They checked my electrical panel. They checked the placement of my cable modem. They took a bunch of pictures and explained what they were planning to do, down to what wires were running where. I asked them to adjust a few things and they did. The rest was surprisingly smooth. They took care of all the NYC permitting work, coordinated with Con Edison, and scheduled the installation date (big shout out to Alexandra for all of her good work) The gentlemen who came to install, showed up when they were supposed to, did exactly what we had agreed to, and finished on schedule. They were clean, polite and professional. I was deeply impressed. And even it looks great! I've had the panels up and running for over a month now, and they are producing power well. On clear sunny days, I will often produce between 100% to 200% of my daily power usage (not so much on rainy days). We're saving money on our electric bill, reducing the chance of summer brownouts and blackouts and helping the environment. read more

If I could provide a review of 0 stars I would. To provide some background, I moved into my home in 2021, which already had 28 panels installed by SunRun, and I encountered no issues with the system. However, after purchasing two electric vehicles, I decided to explore additional solar panels. In September 2024, Empower conducted an assessment of my roof and proposed the installation of 8 additional panels. Since the installation of the new panels, I have encountered several issues. Most notably, following the first rain after the new panels were installed, I experienced a leak in my roof. I immediately contacted Empower's emergency support, but unfortunately, I did not receive a return call. It wasn't until Monday that I was contacted by Seth, the operations manager, who did address the leak. However, despite calling your company over thirty times since then, no satisfactory resolution has been provided. Finally, after nearly a month of persistent communication, I received a response from Empower stating that the damage to the metal flashing, where the roof transitions from composition shingles to S-Tile, was the likely source of the leak. They acknowledged that water had penetrated the roof through this damaged flashing and that the only equipment installed near this area was the EMT conduit running from the J-box on the roof to the combiner box on the exterior wall. However, your response also stated, "we cannot refute without doubt that the original install team did not cause damage to the metal flashing while working next to it." This language suggests a lack of responsibility for the damage, which is extremely disappointing. Your company was the last company on my roof and I have never had a leak. I have spanish tile. While Empower assured me of a 25-year warranty on the roof, I am disheartened to see that your company has not taken ownership of the damage to my home, despite the fact that this is the first instance of a leak following the installation of your panels. Shame on you, Empower, for failing to live up to your commitment read more

When I first purchased my home, one of the promises I made to myself was to install solar panels. I met with four different companies, and explored leasing and buying. After the first company I spoke with, I realized leasing was not the right approach. I than discovered Empower at a booth set up at Christmas fair. When I called them, Tara Bono immediately answered the phone and was super friendly. She answered all my questions and could not have been nicer. She even informed me of work they were doing in my area if I wanted a visual. Little did we know, it was the house behind me. I could see everything from my backyard. I then met with their sales person, Steve Skira (who has since retired). With my first two impressions of this company being Tara and Steve, I eliminated the other companies. There is something to be said about enthusiasm, and professionalism, and they exhibited both. I felt extremely comfortable and they earned my trust. Steve was very knowledgeable and took all the time to explain the process and make sure I understood everything. Also, and I cannot emphasize this enough, they make sure they are doing things the right way. Steve helped me plan my panels with my long-term goals in mind. While I am just starting off, he developed the design to support the family that I hope to have someday. We also had a small delay in my installation not for anything other than Empower needed to be 100% sure they had the schematics of my home. There was an addition put on the house by the previous owner. They worked endlessly to make sure the extension was built properly so it could not only support the panels, but the panels and all the snow we get here on Long Island. While some companies may have gambled, they made sure everything was safe first. They care about the long run, not just the sale. These were installed in 2015, and here it is three years later. I have never had any issue with the panels and I am generating enough electric to cover my life-style. read more

My system came online in early November, and it is generating 95% of the electricity my house uses - even in November, which is better than I expected. The experience with EmPower was very positive, from the initial contact with their salesperson who walked me through all the steps and took time to educate, and moved things along without being pushy. My questions were listened to and taken seriously and all were addressed in a very reasonable way. I did some research and the product they provide is one of the most advanced and affordable options in solar and has a great reputation for quality and durability. The installers were a great team - neat, safe, and experienced, and put the system in smoothly and did a great job - and again, they worked with me to make sure I was happy with the way things were set up. I would recommend EmPower to anyone considering solar, and if you are not maybe you should - good for the wallet and the planet. Be advised things can take a while - I had to wait for some roof repairs (overdue on my side) and then in the peak of the summer there was a wait for installation - I was advised this would be the case and once I completed the contract I was put on the list - but so were lots of other folks -- but I would stress this was spelled out in advance and my install happened about a week after promised - but it was only late because they could not install in the hurricane. Overall an excellent experience and product and I would work with them again without hesitation. read more

I have my solar panels (SunPower) from EmPower for a little more than 6 years. I absolutely love them. Love my electric bills. Late in December one panel showed a red light to check the DC generator. Oddly, my lights in my home started to flicker and frequently needed to resent the circuit breakers. I emailed the service department and opened a ticket on their website. I received a quick response back. Service manager communicated with SunPower. They checked the system and verified it required repair. Still having issues with my circuit breakers, I called and spoke to Jose F. He listen patiently and after answering all his questions, he told me, the first thing to do is call PSEG Long Island as they will come immediately as my heat was out as well. He reassured me this was not caused by the "down" solar panel. He was so right. PSEG came the same day changed the bad line and back to normal (except the one solar panel is still out). Because of Jose's knowledge, expertise and patients I was able to cancel the electrician. Thank you Jose!!! I am giving some extra details for anyone reading this that EmPower, years after the sale and installation, is there to help and will communicate with the manufacturer, who stands behind their products. My experience with EmPower is nothing but exceptional. I highly recommend EmPower. read more

I am very happy with EmPower Solar. I did a lot of research and had many quotes from various companies. What stood out to me the most was Jeff and Nancy Cohen both answered my questions and if they did not know the answer, they said they would get back to me, which they did. I did not feel rushed or pushed in anyway. One of the many reasons of why I had gone with this company. They followed up as well after the panels were installed. Jeff and Nancy had sent a drone out to my house to view the roof and the amount of sunlight. I was very impressed by the pictures and their presentation that they had presented. They were the only company out of 9 that had come to my house to do a very thorough inspection. I had this system installed at the end of March of 2024. They said that I would have a hookup fee with PSEG and that I would only pay max $20 a month. Every bill that I have received from PSEG from April until now in January has been under $17. I have saved so much money so far! This was definitely the right decision. Thank you again EmPower Solar for doing a great job! Thank you, Jeff and Nancy, if it wasn't for your time and patience with me, I don't know what I would have done! read more

Empower installed our solar system (21 panels) 2 1/2 years ago (May 2018). After the site inspection and design were all completed and the contract signed, the installation was completed in 1 (long) day. Kudos to their expert team of installers! It has performed flawlessly since that time and delivered, to date (January 2021), 107% of our energy usage! Late this fall 2020 we passed the 20,000 KWH mark! Last May (2020), as we were entering the air-conditioning season, our production stood at almost 120% of usage. We couldn't be more pleased. If anyone has any questions about solar in general, or Empower in particular, we are happy to share our experience. Contact Empower directly and they will enable you to get in touch with us. BTW: this wasn't our first experience with solar: we had it for ~15 years in Lexington, MA, before we moved to Westchester. It has been a great ride, but even better, and more rewarding, the second time around. Michael Kaplan read more

I just want to say that the whole process was a breeze with you guys and caused no inconvenience to my family at all. And that included a new roof install. Mat Layton from sales was awesome and very informative throughout the whole loan and purchasing process. Alley Buckley couldnt have been more helpful with taking care of my concerns for installation(inground pool) and making sure I was prepared for the install leading up to and during it. She kept me informed the whole way through. The install team themselves were also excellent and very professional through the whole process. From lead foreman Jared Taylor down to the crew physically installing, they were quick, neat, and always let me know what was going on. You should be beyond proud of your team. It was a great experience for us and I will be sure to recommend EmPower for anyone I know considering solar! read more

I hired Empower Solar to install a solar panel system at my home last October, and I couldn't be more satisfied. Mr. Lobel was incredibly kind; he truly listened to my needs and provided a highly competitive estimate. During the process, Mr. Clement articulately explained every procedure and addressed all my questions. If he didn't have an immediate answer, he ensured I was connected with the right person for clarification. The installation team, led by Foreman Mr. Gerald, was diligent, reliable, and meticulous. The team arrived promptly and executed the installation with exceptional attention to detail. Mr. Gerald personally inspected every component and took the time to walk me through the system and what to expect next. Empower Solar is very competitive compared to other firms, especially given their superior quality of work. I highly recommend them! read more

From Matt Brill, my salesman extraordinaire, to the office staff, who walked me thru every step, to the installation crew, who were professional, careful and thorough, I could not be happier with my system. I'll admit, I'm a rough customer. I investigate and question everything and put everyone through the wringer. But when all was said and done, Empower won out over five other companies. Were they the cheapest? No, but we'll worth every penny. The system looks and works great, even producing when totally overcast and raining ( at reduced production, of course ). Even the app shows a lot of info, I enjoy just checking in. My only complaint, it doesn't work at night, haha. But I can't wait till the next full moon, hey, you never know! Needless to say, I gave Enpower permission to give my info out to anyone interested, to call or stop by and have a look-see. read more

Having EmPower install solar Panels on my house has been the best investment I have made since I purchased my home. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that my home is powered by clean renewable energy that has no negative impact on the environment unlike dirty fossil fuels. My utility bill went from over $160 a month to just over $11 a month and once a year I get a credit for selling my excess electricity that I produce to PSEG. The Solar Panels have been so efficient that I now produced more electricity then I consumed so I decided to purchase an electric car to charge at home. EmPower was great to work with and they took care of everything from start to finish. Their work was impeccable and I highly recommend them for your solar install. Thank You EmPower and I look forward to decades of free clean energy. read more

"After almost 2 years of research and multiple solar power companies interviews, none of them compared to SunPower. They were very professional and thorough and I didn''t feel pressured anytime during the process. Matt the rep understood my needs and some of the headwinds i was facing in such a long term commitment. The fact that they have the highest panels on the market with built in inverters along with a 25Year Warranty made my decision even easier. The installation went flawless even though some uneventful weather delayed it. I highly recommend that Sunpower by Empower be part of your finalist when it comes to solar energy needs. Thank You SunPower for making me a very happy customer!" Mike DiChiara read more

SunPower by Empower Solar, is a company that stands by its word. From day 1 meeting Kyle to the day my system was left running, every word was followed up on, every promise kept. Alexandra, Cody, Kyle and Zack all helped put me at ease at every step. Very rarely do you work with contractors and get the service you paid for with exceptional quality. Additionally I also requested a Home service panel upgrade from 100 to 200 amps. Empower Solar had Damian from Gallant Electrical Construction Inc., do my service upgrade. What can I say, except, Excellence all around. Thank you SunPower by EmPower Solar and Thank you Gallant Electrical, for all the hard work! read more

Awesome. Absolutely fantastic. From the initial sales consultation to the install very smooth. Mike L the sales man is very knowledgeable and answers all your questions. He takes time with you and goes over everything no surprises. His pricing was by far better than any of the competitors. Alexandra the project manager was great. So let me know every detail and would email me what the next steps are. She was always in contact with me. Andrew the Forman was great and went over every step of the install. His crew was great very friendly and working non stop to get the install completed. I would height recommend empower solar read more

We recently removed our oil furnace and water heater and went to a heat pump system so now our house is 100% electric, which means our electric bill is crazy high so solar was a must for us. We looked at several companies before choosing EmPower. It was a couple months waiting before our system was installed but everything went smoothly. It's been up and running for about a week and going well. A co-worker also used EmPower and also recommended them. read more

We had our solar panels from EmPower installed in 2017, and we are so happy with them. The panels are great, and we have been enjoying electric bills in the $12 range for the last 3 yrs. Their service is great as well. They have been attentive and courteous whenever we call or email. If there is any problem, they come promptly and address the situation properly. I trust them, and I would recommend them to anyone!! read more

My experience with EmPower has been overwhelmingly positive from start to finish. Communication, above all, has been excellent and the local team is very responsive. I have had the system for 5 years and, when a recent issue arose, EmPower responded and helped with a timely resolution. EmPower staff and services remain very accessible, despite their being absorbed by the more distant SunPower. I highly recommend them. read more

Every step of the process was made very easy by great communication, and accessible information. I felt at ease that I wasn't begin oversold on a system that didn't suit me. I was informed about the engineering and mechanics of the system, so that I could make an educated decision on what works best for our family and our needs. I would highly recommend SunPower, and Mat Layton to anyone looking to install Solar. read more

My husband and I had installed solar panels with empower solar in December and couldn't have been happier with the service or people. Our salesman Ed Olsen was amazing. Everything was crystal clear we were informed with progress of every moment and they worked with us great since both my husband and I work. The men that installed the solar panels where polite and clean. I would highly recommend empower solar read more