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New York · Updated August 2026
NYSERDA solar incentives and the NY-Sun program
How NYSERDA and the NY-Sun Megawatt Block actually work, why the rate changes quarter to quarter, and what to ask before you sign a contract in New York.
$0.20–$0.40Per watt, declining as blocks fillRanked #1 by Solar Power World · Inc. 5000 · 20,000+ installations
The numbers
What New York actually offers in 2026
| Measure | Current | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Program | NY-Sun Megawatt Block | Administered by NYSERDA |
| Current residential rate | $0.20–$0.40/W | Varies by region and open block |
| Low-to-moderate income adder | $0.40–$0.80/W | For qualifying households |
| Who receives it | Your installer | Required by law to pass it through as a price reduction |
| Regions | Three | Con Edison, Upstate and Long Island run separate block schedules |
| Structure | Declining blocks | Each filled block steps the rate down for the next |
| EmPower+ | Income-eligible | No-cost efficiency upgrades and solar for qualifying households |
| NYSERDA battery rebate | Per usable kWh | Also on a declining block structure |
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
Blocks decline. Timing decides your rate.
NYSERDA allocates NY-Sun incentives in megawatt blocks, split across three regions — Con Edison, Upstate and Long Island. Each region has its own block schedule, and every time a block fills, the rate steps down for the next one.
That means the incentive you receive depends on when your application lands, not when you first started looking. Rates can change quarter to quarter, and a block can close between your quote and your contract.
It reduces your federal credit basis, if you have one
Historically the NY-Sun rebate reduced the basis on which the federal credit was calculated — a $3,500 rebate on a $30,000 system meant the credit applied to $26,500, not $30,000.
That interaction matters less now that the federal residential credit under Section 25D has ended for homeowner purchases. But it still applies to third-party-owned systems, where the system owner claims Section 48E.
What NYSERDA does not do
NYSERDA does not pay you directly, does not require paperwork from you, and does not stack indefinitely. The program is explicitly designed to phase down as New York’s solar market becomes self-sustaining.
The 25% New York State tax credit is separate, capped at $5,000, and unlike NY-Sun it goes to you — including on a qualifying lease or PPA.
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.
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