New York Solar Guide 2026
Everything New York homeowners need to know: costs, incentives, net metering policy, and what makes this state unique for solar.
Quick answer
New York solar economics depend mainly on 4.1 average peak sun hours, an estimated $3.2/W installed cost, 22.0¢/kWh electricity, and the state's current net-metering rules.
Reviewed 2026-07-26
- Best for
- New York homeowners comparing solar costs, incentives, and payback assumptions.
- Inputs needed
- annual kWh usage, utility rate, installed $/W, net-metering policy
- Formula used
- Typical production = system kW × peak sun hours × 365.
- Source checked
- state incentive data, utility tariff checks, Wattcrunch price benchmarks
Key fact about New York solar
New York's 25% state solar tax credit (up to $5,000) is one of the most generous in the US, and the combination with high electricity rates makes solar very compelling despite lower sun hours.
Peak sun hours
4.1
hrs/day avg
Avg electricity rate
22.0¢
per kWh
Median install cost
$3.2/W
before incentives
Typical payback
9 yrs
8 kW system, avg usage
Typical 8 kW system in New York
Annual production
11,972 kWh
Year-1 savings
$2,634
System cost (est.)
$25,600
No federal tax credit — Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
New York Net Metering Policy
Full retail net metering (transitioning to VDER)
NY uses full retail net metering for most customers. The Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) tariff applies to larger systems and community solar. NY-Sun drives significant state incentives.
New York Solar Incentives
Available in addition to any utility rebates. Federal 25D credit is $0 for homeowner-owned systems from 2026.
- ✓NY-Sun incentive ($0.20–$0.60/W)
- ✓25% state solar tax credit (up to $5,000)
- ✓Sales tax exemption
- ✓Property tax exemption
Top Utilities in New York
Interconnection timeline: 8–20 weeks (Con Edison notably slower)
State-specific decision guide
What to verify before signing a New York solar quote
In New York, the financial result depends on more than sunshine or the headline installation price. Confirm the export rule, program eligibility date, and interconnection timeline for your exact utility before treating a payback estimate as a promise.
Export value
This page models full retail net metering (transitioning to vder). Ask which tariff and export credit apply to your account, not only which program name appears in the proposal.
Incentive eligibility
Check equipment, income, installer, application, and placed-in-service rules before subtracting an incentive from the quote. Programs can close or change terms.
Interconnection
Budget for the published 8–20 weeks (con edison notably slower) and confirm who pays for a required meter, service upgrade, or engineering review.
Source trail: production assumptions use NREL PVWatts; incentive discovery should be checked against DSIRE; electricity-market context is available from the EIA. Confirm final tax treatment with the IRS and your utility.
Calculate your New York solar economics
Our calculators are pre-filled with New York data. Run any tool below.