Harnessing the Power of the Sun Since 2003

solar industry innovation

About Renovus Solar

Renovus Solar is the leading solar company in New York, specializing in providing and installing solar energy systems for homes, businesses, schools, and communities. Priding ourselves on quality craftsmanship, excellent customer service, and solar industry innovation, we are pioneers in community solar development. Based in Ithaca, NY, Renovus is the only company in the state building on-site solar energy systems and community solar farms. With more than 20 years of service, we have installed thousands of systems, including the first NYSEG grid-connected community solar farm. We are committed to making solar energy accessible to all and lowering homeowners’ and businesses’ energy bills for good.

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2003

Renovus began installing solar energy from humble beginnings in a small 1,000-square-foot building on Cherry Street in Ithaca with just a handful of staff.

2013

As more people learned about solar energy, demand grew, and so did our employee base and supplies. Therefore, we rented warehouse space.

2014

We quickly outgrew the old building and the warehouse and moved to where we are now: 1520 Trumansburg Road in Ithaca. We got right to work making our new building solar-powered.

Today

We have an entirely solar-powered facility run by dedicated employees.

“Our electric bill is now just $15 a month for the basic service charge! I think we’ll have this solar system paid for in five years.”

– Diane & Rob

Our Campus

The Path to a Net-zero Facility

We disconnected the buildings from natural gas service, upgraded the electrical systems, ran all new fiber optic cables, and added a 200-amp service to the front office. We installed an advanced HVAC system, including air source heat pumps, fully spray-foam insulated the buildings, and updated all the lighting to LED. We designed these systems with exposed components so visitors can see what net-zero facilities look like. We invested in employee comfort, adding sound-dampening features, an open-plan office, ergonomic workstations for project preparation, a wellness room, communal kitchen spaces for gathering, and homemade desks and furniture.

Going Solar

We had initially intended to install solar panels on the roofs of the buildings, but a second-opinion engineering analysis revealed the buildings lack the structural capacity to hold panels. There was also no available ground nearby. We had one option remaining: community solar. Renovus is now powered by the sun while helping thousands of New Yorkers do the same.

Our Team

Renovus has been at the forefront of the solar industry since its earliest days, allowing us to learn a few things over the past 20+ years. Our team consists of many highly qualified professionals, including engineers, installation experts, and solar consultants who have collectively worked on hundreds of projects and counting. By valuing and respecting our team members, we have proudly retained their expertise within the company. From our knowledgeable executives to our experienced field electricians, this wealth of experience translates into one key advantage – the trust and satisfaction of our customers, who become a part of the Renovus family.

Join Our Team

As a growing company, we’re always interested in leveraging the best talent available. If you are interested in applying for a position that is either currently being offered or may be offered in the near future, send your resume and cover letter to hr@renovussolar.com.

Once your resume and cover letter have been submitted, our team will contact you within a week to confirm we have received your materials.

If you have a more in-depth question you would like answered about working at Renovus, please give us a call at 607-277-1777.

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sustainability

Our Values

Quality

We use only the highest quality panels, inverters, and installation techniques to ensure excellence in our workmanship. Alongside our 25-year power generation guarantee which guarantees against 10% or more electrical output degradation for 5 years (2 years for batteries), we also provide a lifetime workmanship guarantee to ensure peace of mind for our customers.

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Service

From assisting with interconnection contracts and building permit applications to guiding you through tax deductions, we work with you to simplify the process.

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Social Responsibility

We support the community by investing in local non-profits and providing excellent employee benefits. We also demonstrate our sustainability through the mobile Solar Power Station, fueling our fleet with biodiesel and staying carbon neutral at our headquarters.

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Sustainability Commitment

Partnering with the Finger Lakes Climate Fund, we offset our carbon impact and support energy efficiency projects. We also collaborate with Recycling and Materials Management for recycling, greener purchasing, waste reduction, and composting efforts.

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Healthy People, Healthy Community, Healthy Planet

Our dedication lies in creating a thriving community and sustainable planet for the current and future generations. We prioritize good, living-wage jobs and invest in our employees’ well-being. As an ethical and sustainable business, we aim to be an example and contribute to our community.

Everyone Can Go Solar

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Solar FAQs

What is NYSERDA?

Dec 4, 2023

In the solar industry, we talk about the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) a lot. NYS is one of the most progressive states in the country when it comes to enabling the growth and sustainability of renewable energy infrastructure, and...

What are solar incentives?

Dec 4, 2023

Solar incentives are exciting but a sometimes confusing topic to address. There is no "one-size-fits-all" way to apply solar rebates and tax credits, and as the packages expire and change, it can be difficult to keep up. We're here to help you understand what is...

What is the average cost to install solar panels?

Dec 4, 2023

What is the average cost to install solar panels for your home or business? Solar is an exciting way to take charge of your home or business energy generation while saving money on utility costs and benefitting the environment at the same time. Solar is Modular Solar...

How do solar panels work?

Dec 4, 2023

Renovus Solar's primary focus is to save customers money by installing solar energy systems. These systems consist of interconnected technological solutions that convert sunlight into electricity through the Photovoltaic (PV) process. PV modules, made up of small...

New System FAQs

Who do I contact for service once my system is built?

The Renovus service team is here to help. If you need anything regarding your new system, please reach out to us.

Phone: 607-277-1777 ext. 4

Email: service@renovussolar.com

What tax forms do I need to fill out?

Once your system is done, you can file for property tax exemption with your local assessment department. This exemption can be opted out of, so check with your assessor regarding your particular situation when you submit the form to them. The form and instructions are here: RP487 property tax exemption form.

To claim the New York State Tax Credit, you can find the form and instructions here: IT-255 – Claim for Solar Energy System Equipment Credit

To claim your Federal Income Tax Credit, you can find the form and instructions here: Form 5695 – Residential Energy Credit

What system cost do I use to calculate my tax credits?

The purchase agreement that you signed will list the total system cost and cost after NYSERDA or before tax credits. The cost after the NYSERDA incentive is the amount you take the percentages from. If you signed the contract electronically, you can access the document through that service. If you signed it with a pen, then you should have a copy of it. You can contact your salesperson if you can’t find it.

What is the difference between a kW and a kWh?

kW stands for kilowatt. This is the measurement of the instantaneous power that your system is putting out. You would say, at noon, my system put out 10kW. kWh stands for kilowatt hour. This power measurement is over an hour and is a unit of energy. These are the same units that your utility meter displays. You would say, yesterday, my system made 60 kWhs.

Where does the power my system makes go?

Your system is tied directly to your home’s electric panel, so any power it makes will be used by whatever in your house uses power. If your system makes more power than your house uses, the excess will return to the grid, and your utility meter will record it as a credit. Many systems we install come with an internet-based energy consumption metering component. This allows you to see what your system is producing, what your house is using, and what is going to or coming from the grid.

How do I read my new utility meter?

If you are an NYSEG customer, your meter will cycle between displaying what you use (001) and what you export (002). Your bill will show the two readings and the net difference in the details section of your bill. If you are a National Grid customer, your meter only displays one reading, and it will go up or down depending on whether you are using power or exporting it. Your National Grid bill will show the meter readings, and if you have a credit, it will be shown as a negative number. Both meter types have a small arrow that will blink to the right if you are using power or to the left if you are exporting power.

Will the way my utility company reads my meter change?

No. For NYSEG customers, it is recommended to send them meter readings on the months that they would otherwise do an estimate. This way, each monthly reading accurately represents what you have used and exported. National Grid reads their meters every month, so there is no need to submit readings to them.

How will I know if there is a problem with my system?

The main component of your system is the inverter(s). If there is a major issue or component error, the RED fault light on your inverter will light up. If you see this light during daylight hours, call Renovus, and we will take it from there.

Since most of the systems we install come with internet-based monitoring, we will be notified of the error by an email alert. In this case, Renovus will contact you to discuss troubleshooting and repair.

What happens if my system loses its internet connection?

An internet connection isn’t required for your system to operate. The utility company has its own meter, so an internet connection isn’t required for you to get credit for exported energy. It is important to get the system reconnected so that you and Renovus can have access to all of the benefits of the monitoring system.

In most cases, the lost connection results from something simple, like a cable or some other device being unplugged. If you notice that your system’s internet connection is lost, please do some basic troubleshooting, and if the problem isn’t something obvious, give Renovus a call. Most of the time, we can talk you through getting it back online.

What sort of maintenance does my system require?

For the most part, PV systems are maintenance-free. The rain keeps the panels clean, and as long as your inverter(s) has room to breathe, it doesn’t need anything else. If gunk develops on your panels over the years, it is certainly okay to clean them off, but it’s not worth breaking your neck over.

If you do decide to wash them, it is recommended to use a mild soap solution and a non-abrasive cloth or brush, then rinse with low to medium-pressure water.

What about snow removal?

If you have to climb on your roof and risk life and limb, it’s not worth trying to get the snow off your array. If your array is on the ground, then it’s certainly safer to clear the snow off. There are tools called roof rakes with long handles and plastic heads that make good snow removers. Either way, you’re not losing much energy over the year by covering your array with snow for a day or two.

What happens to my system if there is a grid failure?

Your inverter is programmed to stop making power if it senses a grid outage. It will start making power on its own when the grid power returns. Most systems also have a rapid shutdown mechanism that will stop the power from coming from the panels in the event of a grid failure. This makes it much safer for firefighters to work near the array.

Is my system's warranty transferable?

Yes! Any of the warranties associated with your system are transferred if you sell your home. If you remove your equipment and resell the components, they may still be under the manufacturer’s warranty but are no longer under warranty by Renovus.

Can I still use a generator?

Yes, you can. It is best practice to ensure the generator connection to your electric service is isolated from the solar connection. Feel free to call our service line if you would like to discuss the particulars of your generator setup.

Should I get insurance on my system?

Everyone feels differently about insurance, but in most cases, it’s not a bad idea to contact your homeowner’s insurance agent about adding it to your policy. The annual cost to do this is around $60 and may not cost anything extra. It’s a good idea to tell your agent what the total system cost was so they can use that as a replacement value rather than some national average, which will likely be higher.

To learn more about us, send a message or call 607-277-1777.

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Renovus Solar

1520 Trumansburg Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850

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Phone: 607-277-1777

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Email: info@renovussolar.com