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New York · Updated August 2026
National Grid rates in 2026
What National Grid customers are actually paying, where the number comes from, and what it means for your bill. Serving Syracuse, Albany, Utica, Watertown, Buffalo and parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
14.90¢Default supply rate, April 2026Ranked #1 by Solar Power World · Inc. 5000 · 20,000+ installations
The numbers
Where National Grid stands right now
| Measure | Current | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Default supply rate | 14.90¢ | April 2026 |
| All-in residential estimate | ~20¢ | Supply + delivery + riders |
| Upstate wholesale vs Zone J | 25–35% lower | NYISO Zones A–F |
| NY statewide residential average | 28.55¢ | EIA, March 2026 |
Figures as published August 2026. Utility rates change on published schedules — check your own bill for the rate that applies to your account.
Why the number is what it is
What is actually driving this
Upstate buys cheaper power than downstate
National Grid's supply charges change monthly with wholesale conditions in NYISO's upstate zones, which generally clear 25 to 35% below downstate Zone J. That is why Syracuse and Albany pay meaningfully less per kilowatt-hour than New York City.
A pending rate case
National Grid has increase requests before the Public Service Commission. The PSC approved multi-year plans for Con Edison, National Grid, Central Hudson and Orange & Rockland during the 2025–26 cycle.
Affordability pressure statewide
As of December 2024, more than 1.3 million New York households were sixty days or more behind on energy bills, collectively owing over $1.8 billion. That backdrop shapes every rate case in the state.
The honest cost picture
Two ways to pay for solar, and they are very different
If you buy the system
You own the equipment, you keep any renewable energy credits, and you carry the maintenance responsibility. Installed pricing varies by roof, shading and system size.
If you use a PPA
$0 upfront. We install and own the system; you buy the power it produces at a rate set in your agreement, and you only pay for what it actually generates. The system owner carries maintenance for the life of the agreement.
The residential federal tax credit (25D) ended for systems purchased after December 31, 2025.
You will still see ads promising a 30% credit that “ends December 31.” Read the date on them. If you buy a system today as a homeowner, you cannot claim that credit. What remains applies to the owner of the system — which, under a PPA, is us. SolarAmerica does not provide tax advice; talk to your tax professional about your situation.
Who you would be working with
SolarAmerica
We design your system and manage the project; installation is performed by vetted licensed partners in your area.
National Grid questions
The things people actually ask
Is National Grid cheaper than Con Edison?
On the all-in number, considerably — roughly 20¢ upstate against 33.83¢ in New York City. The supply rates are close; the difference is delivery, which costs far less outside the dense urban core.
Does National Grid allow solar?
Yes. New York requires investor-owned utilities to offer net metering, and National Grid interconnects residential solar and credits exported power.
Is there a New York solar tax credit?
Yes — 25% of system cost, capped at $5,000, form IT-255. It applies to power purchase agreements of ten years or more, which is unusual. Ask your tax professional.
See what your roof and National Grid actually add up to
About 60 seconds. No cost, no obligation, and we will tell you if solar does not make sense for your home.
Ranked #1 by Solar Power World · 20,000+ installations · Licensed installers