2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Queens, NY - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Queens.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Queens?
State of NY Commercial PACE Financing Program
Residential Solar Tax Credit
Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Corporate)
NY-Sun Loan Program
Small Business and Not-for-Profit Organizations:
Participation Loans: up to $100,000 (at low interest rate)
On-Bill Recovery loans: $50,000 at 2%
Residential Wood Heating Fuel Exemption
Local Option - Solar Sales Tax Exemption
Solar Sales Tax Exemption
Local Option - Real Property Tax Exemption for Green Buildings
Energy Conservation Improvements Property Tax Exemption
Local Option - Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption
NY-Sun PV Incentive Program (Residential, Low-Income, and Small Business)
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)
PSEG Long Island - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Advanced Power Strips: $10 - $20
Air Purifier: $25 - $50
Clothes Dryer: $50 - $250
Clothes Washer: $50
Dehumidifier: $30
Dishwasher: $50
Exhaust Fan: $20 - $25
Electric Freezer: $30
Heat Pump Water Heater: $650
Pool Pumps: $150 - $350
Refrigerator: $50
Refrigerator Recycling: $50
Lighting
Instant Rebates Vary by Product
Bulk Light Purchases: Up to $2 - $3/unit
Cooling & Heating
Central Air Conditioning: $450
Smart Thermostat: $85
Ground Source Heat Pump: $2,000/ton
Ground Source Heat Pump Rebate Program
Large Systems (> 10 cooling tons): $1,200/cooling ton
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Personal)
On-Site Wind Incentive Program
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
- 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
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. Financial incentives like these are designed to encourage more homeowners to switch to renewable energy. These incentives could include cash back, upfront discounts or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, some by the New York government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Solar rebates can be offered by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering agreement with your Queens utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. They will then subtract this value from your utility bill each month.
- Tax Exemptions: These could come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying property tax on your house. They may also include exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a predetermined percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC originally covered 30% of the total cost of solar system installation, although it has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of accessories, labor and equipment. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be owned by you and in the United States.
To find out exactly how much money the ITC could save you, speak with your local Queens solar panel installation expert.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now titled the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit extends until 2035. You can now receive a 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. The total credit will then see a slight annual decrease until its expiration. The expansion to the program also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, beginning in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to reach out to your local Queens solar panel installers with your questions.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. Like with federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are only available for a limited time. Solar incentives might be provided by your county or municipality, or by the New York government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Queens
There are a number of different solar incentives: those provided by the federal government, those given by the New York government and those provided by local utility companies, to name a few. The use of solar energy has grown enormously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. If you're ready to make the change to solar energy, talking to your local Queens solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Queens, NY Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for solar incentives?
In most cases, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those given out by the New York government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Queens solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project will qualify for.
I already have solar panels installed. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
An excellent idea would be to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar system – or call a local Queens solar installer — to clarify which incentives you may qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
What are the highest-rated solar panel installation companies near me?
To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to the best solar companies in Queens.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
You can lower your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 annually by switching to solar panels. This adds up to roughly 5,000 pounds over 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that switching your home over lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
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.