2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Niskayuna, NY - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Niskayuna.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Niskayuna solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Niskayuna?

State of NY Commercial PACE Financing Program

Incentive Type:
PACE Financing
Locally determined

Residential Solar Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
25% for solar-electric (PV) and solar-thermal systems; for third-party owned systems this is in reference to the aggregate amount owed under the contract rather than the amount owed in any single year

Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Corporate)

Incentive Type:
Corporate Tax Credit
$0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel

Residential Wood Heating Fuel Exemption

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Local Option - Solar Sales Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
Upon local authorization, 100% exemption from local sales tax

Solar Sales Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption from state sales tax

Local Option - Real Property Tax Exemption for Green Buildings

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Upon local adoption, 20% - 100% of real property taxes owed; varies by year and certification level

Energy Conservation Improvements Property Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% of the value added to the residence by the improvements

Local Option - Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% exemption for 15 years (unless local jurisdiction has opted out)

NY-Sun PV Incentive Program (Residential, Low-Income, and Small Business)

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Incentive rates step down over time as MW goals are met. Incentive rates as of 11/27/2019 are:

Residential:
Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed)
Con Edison Region: $0.30/W
Upstate Region: $0.35/W
Low-to-Moderate income customers: $0.80/W (up to 10 kW)

Small Commercial (Non-Residential): Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed)
Con Edison Region: $0.60/W
Up State Region: $0.45/W

Multifamily Affordable Housing Adder: additional $0.40/W (up to 50 kW)
Learn more:

Ground Source Heat Pump Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Small Systems (≤ 10 cooling tons): $1,500/cooling ton
Large Systems (> 10 cooling tons): $1,200/cooling ton

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

Incentive Type:
Loan Program

NY Green Bank

Incentive Type:
Other Incentive

Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Personal)

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
$0.01/gallon for each percent of biodiesel

On-Site Wind Incentive Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Tier I: 10,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $3.50/annual kWh
Tier II: 10,000 kWh - 125,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $1.00/annual kWh
Tier III: 125,000 kWh - 1,000,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $0.30/ annual kWh
Tier IV: Greater than 1,000,000 kWh of expected annual energy production: $0.15/ annual kWh
These incentives are additive.

Anaerobic Digester Gas-to-Electricity Rebate and Performance Incentive

Incentive Type:
Performance-Based Incentive
  • Capacity Incentive: Varies on the construction and design of the system
  • Performance Incentive: $0.025/kWh production payment for new systems for up to 10 years (estimated using a capacity factor of 75%)
  • Interconnection Incentive: up to 75% of the costs exceeding $5,000
  • Project Enhancement Incentives: Available for Black Start Capability, Hydrogen Sulfide reduction, design for accepting food waste and others

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


The term "solar incentives" broadly refers to financial incentives designed to encourage the use of renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. Various types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Certain incentives may be handled by the state of New York, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

  • Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
  • Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your Niskayuna utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. Your utility company will then subtract this value from your monthly utility bill.
  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to exclude the added value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house.
  • Rebates: Solar rebates may be offered by your local utility company, or by your county or state. These rebates are essentially partial refunds that are applied after your purchase of solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.

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Federal Solar Incentives

When you think about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. A federal incentive that most people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC can be credited towards the value of a solar system installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system must have been installed after January 1, 2006 on a property you own for you to be eligible for the credit. Initially, the ITC applied to 30% of all costs (panels, accessories, equipment and labor), although the amount has fluctuated over the last few years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

To better understand how the ITC could apply to your situation, call your local Niskayuna solar panel installation expert and ask for more information.

The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Under the new program, solar installation projects begun after January 1, 2022 and finished by December 31, 2032 may be eligible for a 30% tax credit. The amount of the credit will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems with the new act.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To better understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, speak with your local Niskayuna solar installers.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Not all solar incentives are federal; tax credits, rebates and more might also be offered at the state and local level. These solar incentives — which might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of New York — could be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Niskayuna

The nationwide use of solar energy has increased enormously in the last 15 years, in part thanks to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from the New York government, the federal government or your local utility company. Your local Niskayuna solar panel installer can give you more information about which incentives you might qualify for, and get you on track to switch to renewable energy today.

EcoWatch's Niskayuna, NY Solar Incentives FAQs

What if I want to add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?

While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives can be claimed on a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the specifics.

Who installs solar panels near me?

To find the top solar panel installation companies near you, read our article on the best solar companies in Niskayuna.

I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can apply for?

Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a variety of new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.

Can I receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order that incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify you are claiming all possible incentives and applying them in the correct order.

Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?

You can power your home with multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy. Be sure to talk through your plan with your local Niskayuna solar installer. They can help you with the plan for your project and also help you understand the various incentives that you may or may not qualify for.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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