I want solar energy for my NYC apartment and to eliminate/lower my current electric bill?

Question

include laws, process, contractors, suppliers, contacts etc

Answer 1

Don't do it. I doubt there are any laws against it, but your landlord  may not let you. Check with your landlord first. Plus i would not recommend it. There is only so much a solar panel can do. I think one panel is only powerful enough to just turn on a 50 wats light bulb. The really good solar panels are just super expensive and not worth the money. You will actually be losing money.

Answer 2

Many states, like NY, have initiative to help save on the cost of installation.  Definatly A#1 priority is to get permission of the building owner (in writing preferably).  From there, it would be a good idea to look at your past electric usage (Coned's My Account) to determine what size Solar panels you would need and how long it would take to break even.

Coned will likely work with your contractor to install a "net meter".  Since it's impossible to store electricity in a bottle for later, any excess generation from the solar panels will make the meter essentially turn in reverse, causing a credit for unused generation fed back into the grid.  You will be compensated by Coned because you will have used less electricity.

For a project like this to have any signifigant impact on an electric bill, it would take a number of years to recoup the costs.

Answer 3

solar power costs more in the long run.  The up front cost is so high that you'll never get your money back before the system has to be replaced.