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Renewable Energy
New York Solar Incentives Guide (2021 & 2022 Updates)
In this EcoWatch guide on the New York solar tax credit you’ll learn:
- What incentives the NYSERDA is offering in 2021 & 2022
- Who qualifies for the tax credit and other incentives
- How many years you can claim these incentives
- When these incentives are expected to end
This guide has helped 2,000+ homeowners produce clean energy in the Empire State while reducing the pricing of solar install jobs through state and local PV system tax credits. Let’s get started!
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When you’re ready to speak with a qualified professional, follow the links below. Each of these companies can help you identify and apply for incentives available in New York.
SunPower
Best National Provider
Pros
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
Cons
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Trinity Solar
Solar Veteran
Pros
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Cons
- Limited service area
Momentum Solar
Best Regional Coverage
Pros
- Great warranty coverage
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Representatives are experts on local policies
Cons
- Slightly limited service offerings
- Only available in 11 states
Is Solar Energy Popular in New York?
In recent years, New York has become one of the hottest markets in the U.S. for solar panel installations.
Whether because of the generous New York solar tax credit available to homeowners, the ambitious clean energy targets from politicians across the state, or because New Yorkers simply see the climate and economic benefits of installing solar PV panels, the Empire State is setting a great example for the rest of the country.
For anyone looking to switch to solar power, keeping up with exact policies, such as New York solar incentives and rebates, can be challenging. New policies are rolled out regularly, local incentives vary from one jurisdiction to the next, and if you’re not working actively in the solar industry, it can be a bit confusing.
To ensure that you don’t miss out on any potential incentives and benefits of installing solar panels at your New York residence or business, keep reading to see the key New York State solar tax credits and other incentives to keep in mind when investigating if solar is for you.
What is the New York Solar Tax Credit?
Perhaps the biggest solar incentive in the state of New York is the Solar Energy System Equipment Credit.
As explained by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, this tax credit is available to anyone who engages in a new solar project for their place of residence, whether that’s through purchasing solar energy system equipment, signing a solar lease, or even committing to a power purchase agreement of solar energy generated by equipment owned by another entity (if that agreement spans 10 years or more).
Per the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), for any of the above New York solar energy engagements, the person making the purchase or signing the lease or PPA is entitled to a state tax credit of up to 25% of total expenditures (up to a cap of $5,000).
It’s important to note that the New York solar tax credit is not refundable, meaning it reduces your tax liability but is not paid directly if that credit exceeds your expected tax payments. However, any excess credit can be carried over to future tax filings for up to five years.
To further explain how the tax credit works, we’ve included a video from SunPower, one of the nation’s leading solar providers.
What is the NY-Sun Solar Rebate?
Another quite notable and beneficial incentive for solar purchases is the New York Solar Rebate, known as the NY-Sun Megawatt Block Incentive. This rebate combines and expands on existing solar programs led by the following providers: PSEG Long Island, Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and the NYSERDA.
Unlike the solar tax credit, this program applies not just to residential solar systems but also to nonresidential, industrial and commercial solar installations. Specifically, the NY-Sun initiative offers up-front discounts for installed solar systems on a “dollars-per-watt” ($/W) basis in the form of a direct cash rebate.
The exact amount that a new installation can expect to receive is dictated by the region of New York it’s in, how many of the allotted rebates in that region have already been paid out, the size of the system, and the timeframe in which installation is completed. These regions include Long Island, Upstate New York, and Con Edison (New York City (NYC) and Westchester County).
Generally speaking, though, the New York solar rebate starts as low as 15 cents per watt and can rise all the way up to $1 per watt, making up over half of the cost of installing solar in the best-case scenario.
Any Other New York Solar Incentives?
While the New York solar rebate and the Solar Energy System Equipment Credit are the two most critical policies that have incentivized solar energy in the state, potential installations can qualify for additional key incentives as well. The below table highlights these opportunities, which are expanded upon in the following sections.
| New York Solar Incentive | Description |
| New York Solar Sales Tax Exemption | New York does not charge sales tax on the purchase of solar equipment or installation costs for residential and non-residential systems. |
| Net Metering in New York | New York utilities allow for net metering, so homeowners can sell excess energy their solar system generates back to the grid. |
| Local Incentives | Towns, cities and counties can have their own home solar incentives offered on top of statewide incentives. |
New York Solar Sales Tax Exemption
The state of New York charges a 4% sales tax on most products and goods sold within the state. However, to bring down the barriers to entry for homes or businesses looking to invest in solar energy, this tax has not applied to solar energy equipment and installations for residential systems since 2005.
This exemption helps lower the all-in cost for potential solar buyers and serves to make solar energy more affordable with a lower solar payback period to a greater portion of the population, in alignment with New York’s goals for increased renewable energy.
Net Metering in New York
The state of New York allows for net energy metering for residential solar systems up to 25 kilowatts, farm systems up to 100 kilowatts and non-residential systems up to 2 megawatts.
The original net metering provision passed in 1997 only applied to the first 10 kilowatts of a solar system but has since been expanded multiple times as the New York government leans into its near-term and long-term goals to make solar more viable and prevalent across the state.
Net metering is a system by which customers who own solar systems can be paid directly (or offset their electric bills) by sending the excess energy generated by their solar panels back to the local power grid.
While all solar systems create a benefit for owners by allowing them to freely consume the energy they generate, net metering allows for further profiting during times when they don’t consume all the electricity they are actively producing.
Local Incentives
In addition to the statewide incentives available for potential solar systems across New York, many towns, cities, and counties will also offer incentives such as tax credits, rebates or otherwise that can be layered on top of the state incentives, serving to move the needle to affordability even further.
One of the most widespread local incentives is a solar property tax exemption. Each municipality in New York can decide whether it wants to take part in the property tax incentive program, and many have opted in. This means homeowners in most areas of the state don’t have to pay increased property taxes after solar panels increase the value of their homes.
See also: See how much you can save by going solar with the EcoWatch Solar Calculator
What do New Yorkers Need to Know About the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)?
On top of all of the state and local incentives for solar energy that are readily available to New Yorkers, solar installations in the state are also eligible for the federal incentive solar tax credit (ITC).
The federal government allows for all solar systems installed through 2032 to receive a non-refundable tax credit based on the value of the system (which includes the cost of the equipment itself and the cost to install it) and when the installation is complete.
For all systems placed into service by the end of 2032, the Federal Solar Tax credit is equal to 30% of the cost of the installation. For systems placed into service in 2033, the credit drops to 26% of the system. The credit will decrease to 22% in 2034 and will be phased out in 2035.
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FAQs: New York Solar Incentives
At EcoWatch, we’re happy to get questions about the process and costs of getting rooftop solar from New York residents. Below are some of the questions we see most often, along with our responses. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
Yes, there is a New York solar tax credit. The Solar Energy System Equipment Credit is a 25% (up to $5,000) non-refundable tax credit available for homeowners who purchase, lease or sign onto solar via a power purchase agreement.
Yes, New York will continue to offer solar incentives in 2022, including the Solar Energy System Equipment Credit, the NY-Sun MW Block Incentive, state sales tax incentives, and availability for net metering, as well as federal tax credits and any relevant local solar incentives.
New York State has made the already financially prudent decision to go solar even more accessible and viable via its various tax credits, rebates and policies that bring down the total cost to install solar. Put together, these measures serve to reduce solar system costs in New York, making it a worthwhile investment.
No, solar panels are not free in New York, though many solar incentives are available for residential and non-residential installations that bring down upfront costs and strive to make solar investments accessible to more New Yorkers.
