Is Solar Right for Me?
Before considering solar energy, it’s important that you have a solid grasp of your current energy use, and that your home or business is as energy-efficient as possible. Knowing how much energy you use will help your contractor build a solar energy system tailored to your needs.
Solar Energy Checklist
To make sure you don’t overlook anything during the solar installation process, check that you have the following:
- An understanding of your energy usage
Log in to your account to view your using history over the past 12 months (in kilowatt-hours), and learn about how to perform a thorough home energy audit. - An appropriate billing plan
The cost of solar energy varies depending on your energy use. If you are enrolled in Budget Billing or a voluntary Time-of-Use plan, call us at 1-877-434-4100 so that we can remove you. These plans are generally not beneficial for solar customers. - An understanding of the Customer Benefit Contribution Charge
The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a proposal that would require solar customers to pay a Customer Benefit Contribution (CBC), a monthly fixed charge used to fund energy efficiency programs, solar programs, and low-income discount programs. You can find additional information on this monthly fixed charge, and how it is calculated in Orange and Rockland Utilities Electric Tariff, Leaf 185.15. - A contractor
Installing a rooftop solar system is a team effort. While we make sure your solar installation is properly connected to the grid, the actual installation of solar panels is done by an independent contractor. - All proper building permits and Orange & Rockland approval
Once you’ve found a contractor and they’ve submitted your application to O&R, we’ll review it to make sure everything is properly documented. - A net meter
Once we receive your complete application and you’re approved for installation, O&R will coordinate the installation of your net meter. The net meter records the difference between the amount of electricity your system puts into the energy grid vs. how much you take out. - All proper safety inspections and sign-offs from O&R, your installer, and any necessary third parties
- A final acceptance letter from O&R
After these things have been taken into account, your solar system can be turned on.
Orange & Rockland's main role is to ensure that installations of distributed generation systems are properly designed to safely operate in parallel to the O&R system, and to provide for net metering if applicable.
O&R does not sell, install, or design distributed generation systems, nor do we recommend certified installers.