Thanks for your interest in solar energy. Fuel prices keep going up and we don't see any relief in site. So people are getting more interested in fixing their energy costs. Solar energy systems are a great way to do that and they also eliminate pollution and greenhouse gases.
There are some nice incentives in New York for solar electricity. These incentives are all for net metering type systems. Net metering systems feed your electrical load in synchrony with utility power. There are no batteries needed (although you can have batteries for backup). If there is more solar electricity (for example at midday) than the house needs, the utility meter turns backward and you get credit at the retail rate. When the sun is not out, you use the credit. You can choose a solar electric system size that supplements the utility power or serves your entire electrical usage, whatever is pleasing and fits your budget.
About your electrical load
Look at your electric bill to see what your present load is. It will tell you how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month you use. (Ten 100 W lights running for 1 hour use 10 x 100 x 1 = 1000 watt-hours = 1 kilowatt-hour.)
Energy Efficiency Saves Big Bucks
Implement energy efficiency measures such as compact fluorescent lights, Energy Star refrigerator and energy saving habits. Every dollar spent on energy efficiency will save you twenty dollars on solar panels! Energy efficiency can dramatically lower your electric bill.