A New York homeowner worried that rooftop solar might be effectively off-limits to anyone without a contractor. But the responses they received suggested the reality may be far more practical and local.

Here's what to know

In a Reddit thread on r/DIYSolar, the original poster asked, "Has anyone successfully installed DIY solar on their roof, while abiding by codes[?] By my understanding the law in New York seems to forbid anything but paying a contractor."

Commenters said the deciding factor is the homeowner's local authority having jurisdiction, or AHJ, which is the office responsible for permitting and inspections. What is allowed may depend on the town, county, or utility process involved.

One commenter said, "My AHJ in upstate New York basically allows you to do everything yourself, including tapping to the grid, as long as you pass inspection… NY doesn't have a state level licensure requirement. It's all done on a jurisdiction level."

Another person said, "I did my cabin. I needed a NY licensed electrician to do the final hookup to the PoCo."

"NYS has a streamlined application process for installing solar systems under 25kW so that part is very straightforward," a third commenter offered. "The town will have its own permitting requirements."

More background

Labor can make up one of the biggest portions of a solar quote. If local rules allow a homeowner to complete some or most of the installation work, that could help reduce upfront costs while still preserving safety checks through permits and inspections.

Even for those who decide not to go the DIY route, going solar remains one of the best ways to save money on home energy. Homeowners can explore EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.

One of the commenters above also urged, "If you're going big buy UL listed systems up front, you'll eventually want to go legit and will kick yourself replacing everything."

What can be done?

As a few commenters stated, contacting your area's building department is one of the best ways to go to get more information.

For homeowners who ultimately hire a pro, EnergySage's free services can still help keep costs down. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save on solar purchases and installations. EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with solar panel incentives for each state, helping readers find the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.

Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners who want to pair panels with backup power can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.

Where can I learn more?

If you're dealing with a similar issue, these stories prove that you're very much not alone.

• In New York, residents could install plug-in solar panels on balconies without utility approval.

• One homeowner weighed legal action after an HOA denied solar installation for aesthetic reasons despite state protections.

• Elsewhere, a resident debated a sneaky method to avoid an HOA's strict solar panel rules.

• In Austin, neighbors pushed back when an HOA tried to deny a common home addition.

• Solar shingles helped one homeowner sidestep HOA aesthetic objections while still moving ahead with panels.

For homeowners thinking about solar, a little homework on local rules, and even getting involved with your HOA if you have one, can reveal more paths forward.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.