Hudson Solar

• Available Warranties
• Payment Options
• Incentives
• Net Metering Available
• Other Miscellaneous Solar Applications

Available Warranties

With Hudson Solar, you will receive a 5-year workmanship warranty, a 10-year warranty on the inverters, with a 20-year extended warranty available, and 25-years on the modules.  This is a little different than most solar providers who typically offer a minimum 10-year workmanship warranty and a 25-year manufacturer warranty.  If this is something you are concerned about, you might want to consider talking with Hudson Solar about whether or not they have any other alternatives.

Payment Options

Hudson Solar has several financing options, which include Green Jobs Green New York a state-wide program that promotes energy efficiency and clean technology.  This program also offers low finance rates starting at 3.49% to help residents and businesses go solar. They also offer unsecured and secured loans for 5-, 10-, 12-, 15- and 20-year terms with no closing costs and no prepayment penalties.  Additionally, they also have an option that includes zero money down and zero payments for up to 12 months. Hudson Solar will take the time to match you with any available rebates and tax credits to help save you money.  And in some cases, the upfront rebates, grants, and other tax incentives can total up to a 70% savings off system costs.

Incentives

New York residents and businesses are eligible for some great solar incentives, which include no property or state sales taxes, $0.50 / watt rebate for up to the first 25,000 watts and commercial has an even higher wattage allowance.  And a 25% state tax credit, as well as a 30% federal tax credit.  However, just keep in mind that these incentives are subject to change and commercial and not-for-profit incentives could vary.  But either way, these programs could potentially save you about 2/3 of your solar system costs, which is a great reason to go solar now.

Net Metering Available

Net metering is a wonderful option for those who install a solar system on their roof.  With net metering, if your system produces more energy than you use, this program will allow you to sell the excess energy back to the electric grid and that amount is deducted from your monthly electric bill or credited towards a future bill within the same calendar year.   This could help you lower your new electric bill even more.

Other Miscellaneous Solar Applications

Another great reason to consider Hudson Solar is the fact that they also offer other types of solar applications you might find helpful.  They offer solar applications for farms via roof or ground and pole-mount systems, so if you need solar in a remote location, Hudson Solar has you covered.  Additionally, they also offer solar for non-profits and government facilities, as well as solar for your car. Hudson Solar also has backup systems available.  They use small, powerful, wall-mounted units that come with a five-year warranty.  And since they are not driven by a generator, they operate almost completely silently.  Therefore, you can rest assured that in an emergency, you will not be left without power, which many of their current customers can tell you is what kept them safe during hurricane Sandy.  Their fully-charged backup systems can power your home for a few days and can quickly recharge the battery from the sun.

• System Monitoring
• Limited Payment Options
• Moving Options and Transferable Contracts

System Monitoring

System monitoring is an important feature because a monitoring system will give you real-time data about how much energy you are producing and how much you are using at any given time.  Additionally, a monitoring system will alert the solar company immediately should your system ever encounter a problem.  This will allow them to react quickly to troubleshoot and repair the problem and get your system functioning optimally as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the Hudson Solar website does not specifically state that they offer any type of monitoring system for any of their customers other than their business customers, but that doesn't mean they don't.  They just don't come right out and say it; therefore, if you are a residential customer or are planning on purchasing any other type of solar application from them, you will have to inquire as to whether or not the particular system you are purchasing includes monitoring.  And if they do offer system monitoring, you will need to find out if there is an additional cost for that or if it's included in the contract at no charge.

Limited Payment Options

Hudson Solar doesn't provide their customers with many payment options.  The only options you will have, if you choose this company, is to buy your new system outright or to purchase it through one of their finance programs.  And this is probably workable for many people; however, for those who don't qualify for one of their finance options or for whatever reason, this leaves them without any other alternative Many solar companies, in addition to their purchase and finance options, also offer lease to own and purchase power agreements (PPAs) as an alternative means of going solar, without all the hassle of owning a system.  A lease to own solar program works just like any other lease to own situation.  And the PPA program is very similar, although it has some differences.  But the bottom line is that with a lease or PPA option, the solar company retains ownership of the solar system they install on your roof and, therefore, they also keep all the rebates and incentives that come along with it as well.  This is what enables them to provide you with a solar system at no cost to you.  Additionally, with a lease option, you won't be responsible for any repairs or maintenance either, which is great. So as you can see, a lease option would enable more people to go solar versus just those who qualify for one of Hudson Solar's finance options.  But unfortunately, Hudson Solar doesn't provide their customers with any lease options.  That means if you don't qualify for a solar system due to not being able to qualify for their financing or for any other reason, you will have to find another company who offers a leasing program, if you want to go solar and save on your electric bills now and for years to come.

Moving Options And Transferrable Contracts

The Hudson Solar website doesn't disclose whether or not they offer any type of moving services for your system.  This is something you will need to confirm with them before you make any decisions.  There may come a time when you will need to replace your roof and, therefore, your system will need to be removed and replaced in order for that to happen.  That means you need to ask them if they offer moving services as part of their contract and whether or not there is a charge for performing that service.  If moving services are not something they provide, you will have to find an electrician who has experience in moving solar panels.  This is important because if your panels are somehow damaged during the moving process, that damage isn't usually covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Another issue you will need to discuss with Hudson Solar is whether or not your solar contract is transferrable.  If you ever decide to move, you will more than likely leave your solar system with the home.  That means your solar contract will need to be transferred to the new owner.  It's very common for a solar company to allow you to transfer your contract to a new owner, but since Hudson Solar doesn't specifically state that they allow for this, you will need to get it in writing and make sure that it's included in your contract before you sign it.