New York Solar Incentives 2026

Federal Solar Tax Credit

New York residents qualify for the full 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) through 2032.

Federal Credit Details

• Credit Amount: 30% of total system cost
• Maximum Credit: No cap for residential systems
• Qualifying Costs: Equipment, installation, permits
• Deadline: System must be operational by December 31, 2032

New York State Incentives

NY-Sun Solar Rebate Program

• Rebate Amount: $0.25-0.70 per watt
• Maximum Rebate: Up to $5,000
• Program Focus: Residential and small commercial
• Funding: NY-Sewer infrastructure funding
• Income Limits: Enhanced rebates for low-income households

New York State Tax Credit

• Credit Amount: Up to $5,000
• Non-Refundable: Can carry forward up to 5 years
• Annual Limit: $5,000 per year
• System Size: Maximum 25 kW residential systems

New York Utility Incentives

Consolidated Edison (ConEd)

Solar Rebate Program

• Rebate Amount: $0.40-0.60 per watt
• Maximum Rebate: Up to $4,000
• Service Area: NYC boroughs
• Income Qualification: Enhanced rates for low-income customers

Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)

Solar Choice Program

• Rebate Amount: $0.35-0.55 per watt
• Maximum Rebate: Up to $5,000
• Additional Benefits: Net metering available
• Technical Assistance: Free site assessments

National Grid (NY)

Renewable Energy Programs

• Rebate Amount: $0.30-0.50 per watt
• Maximum Rebate: $3,000 - $6,000
• Service Areas: Upstate NY regions
• Additional: Solar renewable energy credits (SRECs)

New York Property Tax Exemption

Real Property Tax Law §487

• Exclusion: 100% of added value from solar
• Duration: 15 years from installation
• Assessment: Added value excluded from property tax
• Administration: Implemented at local level

Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption

• Coverage: Equipment and installation costs
• Duration: 15 years
• Valuation: Based on depreciation schedule
• Documentation: Required system certification

New York Sales Tax Exemption

Sales Tax Exemption for Solar

• Exemption: 100% sales tax on qualifying equipment
• Qualifying: Solar panels, inverters, racking, batteries
• Labor: Installation labor may also qualify
• Documentation: Exemption certificates required

New York Low-Income Programs

Affordable Solar Programs

• Income Limit: 80% of area median income
• Enhanced Rebates: Up to $1.00 per watt
• Focus: Disadvantaged communities
• Technical Assistance: Free site assessments

Community Solar Programs

• No Upfront Cost: Subscription model
• Bill Credits: $0.15-0.25 per kWh
• Income Qualification: Priority for low-income households
• Local Programs: Community solar gardens available

New York Energy Storage Incentives

NY-Sun Energy Storage

• Incentive: $0.25-0.50 per watt
• Maximum: $5,000 per system
• Focus: Solar + storage installations
• Eligibility: Must include solar panels

Green Bank Programs

• Low-Interest Loans: 3-5% interest rates
• Terms: 5-15 year terms
• Focus: Residential and small business
• Down Payment: As low as 0-5%

New York Market Information

Installation Statistics

• 2025 Installations: 25,000+ residential systems
• Average System Size: 8 kW
• Average Cost: $25,000 before incentives
• Market Growth: 20% annually

Top Solar Companies

• Residential Installers: Sunrun, Tesla, Vivint
• Local Providers: Many certified installers
• Nonprofits: Community solar organizations
• Utilities: Utility-scale solar projects

Application Process

Step 1: System Planning

1. Get free site assessment
2. Determine optimal system size
3. Obtain multiple quotes
4. Check utility interconnection rules

Step 2: Incentive Applications

1. Apply for NY-Sun rebate
2. Submit interconnection application
3. Apply for tax exemptions
4. Document all requirements

Step 3: Installation

1. Hire NYSERDA-certified installer
2. Install system according to plans
3. Pass inspection requirements
4. Obtain certificate of completion

Step 4: Incentive Claiming

1. Submit final documentation
2. Claim federal tax credit
3. Apply for state tax credit
4. Receive rebate payments

New York Solar Benefits

Economic Benefits

• Job Creation: 15,000+ solar jobs in NY
• Local Investment: $2B+ invested in solar
• Property Values: 4-6% increase
• Energy Independence: Reduced utility dependence

Environmental Benefits

• Carbon Reduction: 3-4 tons annually per system
• Air Quality Improvement: Reduced emissions
• Renewable Energy: Clean power generation
• Climate Impact: Contributing to carbon neutrality

Important New York Deadlines

NY-Sun Program

• Application Windows: Quarterly funding cycles
• First-Come: Limited funding available
• Income Requirements: Enhanced rebates for low-income
• System Size: 25 kW maximum for residential

Federal ITC Timeline

• 2026-2032: 30% credit available
• 2033: Credit reduces to 26%
• 2034: Credit reduces to 22%
• 2035+: Credit expires for residential

New York Solar Resources

State Agencies

• NYSERDA: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
• NY Department of Public Service: Utility regulation
• NY Department of Environmental Conservation: Environmental standards

Local Programs

• NYC Accelerator: Enhanced incentives for NYC
• Community Choice Aggregation: Local energy programs
• Solarize NY: Group purchasing programs

New York offers comprehensive solar incentives with excellent financial returns. Use our calculator to determine your exact savings including all available programs.