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NY · New York Solar

The 25% solar credit New York still pays.

A 25% state income tax credit on residential solar in New York, paid in cash or rolled forward for 5 years.

25%
Of eligible system cost
$5,000
Annual cap
5 years
Carryforward
A residential New York solar installation eligible for the state's 25% solar income tax credit
Why now · New York

Your rate nearly doubled in 15 years.

New York's residential electric rate climbed from 17¢/kWh in 2010 to 30¢/kWh by 2025. The state solar tax credit covers 25% of system cost up to $5,000, layered on top of NY-Sun and net metering.

The hedge Solar locked at 8¢/kWh, flat 25 yrs
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Residential rate · New York
2010–2025 · cents per kWh
0¢ 10¢ 20¢ 30¢ 2010201520202025 US avg $0.169/kWh ConEd 30.0¢ National Grid 24.5¢ Solar 8.0¢ your rate hedge ¢/kWh, residential
Con Edison National Grid NY Solar LCOE US national average
Source · EIA Form 861, residential class, 2010–2025. State averages and the US national line both pulled from the same dataset for an apples-to-apples comparison.
Major utilities coveredCon Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Orange & Rockland, Central Hudson, PSEG Long Island
A real example · Albany, NY

What the NY State 25% solar credit actually pays back.

On a typical 8 kW rooftop solar install, the New York State residential solar tax credit covers 25% of system cost, capped at $5,000. It applies to cash and loan purchases, layered with NY-Sun and net metering credits. The credit can be carried forward up to 5 years.

See the pieces of the stack
01 · Why It Works Here

The 25% credit New York still pays.

Cash and loan purchases of residential solar still earn a 25% NY State income tax credit, capped at $5,000, with a 5-year carry-forward. Four numbers tell you what to expect.

25%
Of system cost
Capped at $5,000 per residence
5 yr
Carry-forward period
For unused credit
30¢/kWh
NY downstate rate today
~2× the U.S. average
$5,000
Maximum credit
On a $20,000+ system
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02 · Rebates & Benefits

Every rebate line, spelled out.

Current 2026 rebate amounts for NY State Solar Tax Credit. Verify against the program operator at signing.

  • Credit value25% of system cost (after NY-Sun)
  • Annual cap$5,000
  • Carryforward5 years (unused portion)
  • Refundable?No (carries forward)
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04 · Install Timeline

From first call to permission to operate.

A typical New York residential solar install runs 11–15 weeks from site survey to grid interconnection. Permitting and inspection sit on most of that runway.

01.
Site survey & system design
Contractor evaluates roof orientation, shade, structural load, and produces a system design with an annual production estimate.
Week 1
02.
Permitting & utility interconnection app
Building permits filed with the town; interconnection application filed with the local utility. Review typically runs 6–8 weeks.
Weeks 2-7
03.
Equipment procurement
Panels, inverter, racking, and balance-of-system components ordered after permit approval. Lead times depend on configuration.
Weeks 6-9
04.
Installation
Most residential installs complete in 1–3 days on-site. Building permit inspection follows a few days later.
Weeks 9-11
05.
Permission to operate (PTO)
Final utility inspection and net-metering activation. PTO is when the system legally begins exporting and earning credits.
Weeks 11-15
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06 · Questions Homeowners Ask

The honest FAQ.

Actual questions that come up in the first installer conversation.

What if I owe less than $5,000 in NY state tax?

You claim what you owe; the unused portion carries forward. Up to 5 years.

Does it apply to battery storage?

No, the NY state solar credit is solar-PV-specific.

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All New York programs

The full New York upgrade menu.

Every New York program a homeowner can layer in. The badge marks the ones that pair most naturally with the program on this page.

NY · NYS Clean Heat (ASHP)
Solar's biggest job is offsetting load. A heat pump roughly doubles your electric load (and zeros out fossil heat). Sized together, the array carries both.
Stacks well
NY · NYSERDA Comfort Home
Insulation cuts the load before sizing the array. A tighter house needs fewer panels, which makes the whole project cheaper.
NY · NY Windows & Doors
ENERGY STAR windows trim cooling load through the summer (when your array produces most). Less load means more credit banking.
NY · NYSERDA Storage + BYOB
Pair the array with a battery. Solar charges the battery midday, the battery powers the house at night, and the system islands automatically during outages.
Stacks well
Explore more

Other states and programs.

Looking for the same kind of program in another state, or a different program in yours? Tap any pill to jump.

By state
MA Massachusetts RI Rhode Island CT Connecticut ME Maine NH New Hampshire VT Vermont NY New York NJ New Jersey MD Maryland MI Michigan FL Florida
By program type
Solar Heating & Cooling Insulation Windows & Doors Energy Storage

Ready to see how NY State Solar Tax Credit applies to your home?

Your Home Efficiency Score shows your exact rebate stack, across this program and every other one you qualify for in 2026.

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