Solar by State / New York
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in New York in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to New York: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
New York Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 29.2¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1214 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Full retail 1:1 |
| State tax credit | 25% (cap $5,000) |
| Rebates / performance | NY-Sun $0.20–0.40/W rebate |
| SREC market | No active SREC market |
| Property tax exemption | Yes |
| Sales tax exemption | No |
Estimate Your Own Payback in New York
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with New York pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
New York FAQ
Does New York have a solar tax credit in 2026?
New York offers 25% (cap $5,000). The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in New York?
New York uses full retail net metering. This means every exported kWh is credited at your retail rate — the most favorable setup for solar.
Is solar worth it in New York after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 3.15/W installed cost and 29.2¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in New York has an estimated payback of about 8.4 years (rank #12 of 51 states). That is one of the faster paybacks in the country.
Compare New York with Another State
See how New York stacks up against Rhode Island — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
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