2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Schenectady, NY - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Schenectady.
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 Schenectady?
State of NY Commercial PACE Financing Program
Residential Solar Tax Credit
Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Corporate)
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)
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 are designed to encourage people to switch their home over to renewable energy by offering incentives meant to lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. You might qualify for various types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of New York and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions go into effect at the point of sale for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value that your solar panels add when you're calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the federal government.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering agreement with your Schenectady utility company, that may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. Your utility company will then subtract this value from your utility bill each month.
- Rebates: Solar rebates may be provided by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after your purchase of solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a specified percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC was originally for 30% of the cost of solar panel installation, although that number has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, accessories 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 in the United States and owned by you.
Talking to your local Schenectady solar panel installation expert is the best way to understand how the ITC applies to you.
The ITC has been renewed and expanded following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit extends until 2035. American homeowners can now receive a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation on or after January 1, 2022, and will be done by December 31, 2032. The total credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until its expiration. Starting in 2023, the expansion will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Schenectady solar panel company can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives may be handled by your county or municipality, or by the New York government. Certain incentives are available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Schenectady
Solar energy use nationwide has gone up tremendously in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the proliferation of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from the New York government, the federal government or your local utility company. It is a good idea to talk to your local Schenectady solar installation expert for more information about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the most money possible for your solar panels.
EcoWatch's Schenectady, NY Solar Incentives FAQs
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my house in Schenectady?
When you add solar panels to your home in Schenectady, you can anticipate savings of about $728.97 per year, or about $13,850.39 over the next 20 years.
What are the top solar panel installation companies near me?
To learn about the best solar panel installers near you, read our article on the top solar companies in Schenectady.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. A solar system can also reduce the CO2 emissions from your home by 100 pounds annually, or around 2,000 pounds over 20 years.
Can I use a combination of solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of solar and geothermal. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a non-renewable backup source of energy. You should discuss your proposed plan with your local Schenectady solar panel installer, to get an understanding of what will be needed and what types of incentives you might or might 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.