6 solar installers ranked by CR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
Best overall in Big Flats: Intelligent Green Solutions (IGS), CR Score 73/100; 4.3★ from 50 Google reviews.
Most-reviewed: SunMaxx Solar, 17 Google reviews at 3.5★, the most of 6 ranked after Intelligent Green Solutions (IGS); ranked #5.
Rankings can't be bought. Contractors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
6 Big Flats solar installers are ranked here by CR Score, from 8 published factors. The median Google rating is 3.9★ across 6 rated businesses.
| Rank | Business | CR Score | Google rating | Based in | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intelligent Green Solutions (IGS) | 73 | 4.3★ (50) | Ithaca, 35 mi away | Overall |
| 2 | Energy Solutions USA LLC | 68 | 5.0★ (3) | Elmira, 6 mi away | — |
| 3 | Sungineer Solar | 65 | 5.0★ (4) | Ithaca, 32 mi away | — |
| 4 | Empire Valorize | 63 | 3.0★ (4) | Ithaca, 30 mi away | — |
| 5 | SunMaxx Solar | 63 | 3.5★ (17) | Ithaca, 33 mi away | Most reviews |
| 6 | Twin Tier Solar and Wind | 63 | 2.3★ (3) | Elmira, 6 mi away | — |
Ordered by CR Score, a 0–100 score from 8 published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Scores below: based on 6 of 8 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.3★ from 50 Google reviews, the most Google reviews on this list (50).
Based in Elmira, 6 mi away
Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Solar energy company”.
Based in Ithaca, 32 mi away
Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Solar energy system service”.
Based in Ithaca, 30 mi away
Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Solar energy company”.
Based in Ithaca, 33 mi away
Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.5★ from 17 Google reviews, 17 Google reviews.
Based in Elmira, 6 mi away
Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 2.3★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Solar energy equipment supplier”.
Typical prices in USD, adjusted for New York with a published regional index. Each row names its basis and month.
| Job | Low | Typical | High | Basis | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar panel installation | $33,090 | $37,430 | $40,720 | Per system: about 12 kW at about $2.60 per watt, before incentives. US national range × 1.20 Middle Atlantic factor (2025 Cost vs. Value Report) | October 2026 |
We scored 6 Big Flats solar installers on 8 factors, weighted as shown. A business is ranked when its trade is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. Unknown factors are left out of the score, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed October 22, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Featured businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Big Flats data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 35% | Bayesian-adjusted Google star rating | Measured |
| Credentials | 15% | Active state license 0.6, bond 0.2, workers’ comp 0.2 | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | log10(reviews + 1) against the list maximum | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, 24/7 or same-day | Measured |
| Trade focus | 10% | Google main category 1.0, business name 0.7, additional category 0.5 | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | 1.0 when based in the city, falling to 0 at the trade’s radius | Measured |
| Completeness | 5% | Website, photos, description, hours, claimed profile (0.2 each) | Measured |