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New York · Updated August 2026
RG&E rates in 2026
What RG&E customers are actually paying, where the number comes from, and what it means for your bill. Serving Rochester, Monroe County and the surrounding Finger Lakes region.
28.6¢New York statewide residential average, March 2026Ranked #1 by Solar Power World · Inc. 5000 · 20,000+ installations
The numbers
Where RG&E stands right now
| Measure | Current | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| NY statewide residential average | 28.55¢ | EIA, March 2026 |
| RG&E all-in residential | low-to-mid 20¢ | Below the state average |
| Wholesale change, Jan 2025 → Jan 2026 | +80% | Under 10¢ to over 17¢ |
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
Wholesale volatility
Average wholesale electricity in New York went from just under 10 cents per kilowatt-hour in January 2025 to more than 17 cents in January 2026 — an 80% swing driven by tight pipeline infrastructure and reliance on gas-fired generation.
Delivery rate steps
RG&E's delivery rates were set through a joint rate case with NYSEG before the New York PSC, with staged increases in May 2024, May 2025 and May 2026.
Upstate versus downstate
Rochester sits in a NYISO zone where wholesale prices clear below downstate. That keeps supply cheaper than Con Edison territory — but delivery over a less dense footprint is structurally more expensive.
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.
RG&E questions
The things people actually ask
Is there a New York solar tax credit?
Yes. New York offers a 25% state tax credit capped at $5,000 (form IT-255). It applies to power purchase agreements of ten years or longer and the homeowner claims it personally — which is unusual, and worth asking your tax professional about.
Does solar work in Rochester with the snow?
Yes. Panels generate from light rather than heat and run more efficiently in cold weather. Snow slides off tilted panels within a day or two in most cases, and net metering credits a long June day against a short December one.
Does RG&E offer net metering?
Yes. New York requires investor-owned utilities to offer net metering.
See what your roof and RG&E 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