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New York · Updated August 2026
How net metering and VDER work in New York
How New York net metering and the Value Stack actually work, what your exported power is worth, and why the answer depends on when you export it.
60–90%What VDER exports typically return against retailRanked #1 by Solar Power World · Inc. 5000 · 20,000+ installations
The numbers
What New York actually offers in 2026
| Measure | Current | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional net metering | 1:1 retail | Still available to most residential customers in 2026 |
| VDER / Value Stack | 60–90% of retail | Varies by time, location and utility |
| Highest-value export window | Summer afternoons | Peak grid demand |
| Lowest-value export window | Winter mornings | Low demand, low production |
| Which applies to you | Utility-dependent | Some utilities are moving to VDER faster than others |
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
VDER values when and where, not just how much
Traditional net metering treats every exported kilowatt-hour the same. The Value Stack — VDER — does not. It prices exports by the value they deliver to the grid at that moment and in that location.
In practice exported credits typically cover 60 to 90 percent of the retail rate. A summer afternoon export, when the grid is straining, earns near the top of that range. A winter morning export earns near the bottom.
Which means self-consumption matters more here
Under 1:1 net metering it makes little difference whether you use your production directly or export it. Under VDER it makes a real difference: a kilowatt-hour you consume yourself avoids the full retail rate, while one you export earns a fraction of it.
That changes how a system should be sized, and it is a strong argument for pairing solar with storage in New York specifically.
Ask which structure applies to your address before you sign anything, and ask to see the twenty-year math both ways.
The federal residential credit ended. Here is what that actually means.
The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D ended for systems purchased after December 31, 2025. If you buy a system with cash or a loan in 2026, you cannot claim it. Any site still advertising "30% federal tax credit" for a homeowner purchase is running outdated information.
What remains is Section 48E, the commercial investment credit. It applies to third-party-owned systems — leases and power purchase agreements — where the system owner claims it rather than the homeowner. That is precisely what makes $0-down possible: the credit stays with whoever owns the equipment, and under a PPA that is not you.
We would rather tell you that plainly than let you find out at tax time.
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.
New York questions
The things people actually ask
Why is New York's Price to Compare lower than PPL's but the all-in rate higher?
Because the two numbers measure different things. New York's supply charge is lower; its distribution charges and riders are higher. What matters to your budget is the all-in figure — your bill divided by your kilowatt-hours.
How often does this change?
Four times a year: March, June, September and December.
Can I shop for supply?
Yes. New York is deregulated, and switching suppliers changes only the supply portion of your bill.
See what your roof and New York 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