The two numbers that matter
Electricity price: 29.9¢/kWh, above the national state average of 19.3¢. Every kilowatt-hour your panels make replaces one you'd buy at this price, so higher prices mean faster payback.
Sunshine: 4.5 peak sun hours a day, less than the state average of 5.0. Each kW of panels here makes roughly 1,281 kWh a year after real-world losses.
Estimates by bill size
| Monthly bill | Usage | System | Cost | Year-1 savings | Payback | 25-yr net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100/month | 334 kWh | 2.8 kW | $8,460 | $920 | 9 yrs | $22,840 |
| $150/month | 502 kWh | 4.2 kW | $12,690 | $1,380 | 9 yrs | $34,260 |
| $250/month | 836 kWh | 7.0 kW | $21,150 | $2,300 | 9 yrs | $57,090 |
Assumes $3.00/W installed, 90% usage offset, no federal tax credit, 3% yearly price rise and 0.5% yearly panel degradation. Sources: US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Electric Power Monthly, residential average price, July 2026; NREL PVWatts / NSRDB, average peak sun hours for each state's largest city.
Incentives in new-york.html
New York offers a 25% state tax credit up to $5,000, plus NY-Sun rebates of roughly $0.15–0.35 per watt depending on region.
The US 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for homeowner systems installed after December 31, 2025. Leased systems and PPAs may still be priced with a federal business credit. See solar incentives in 2026.
Plug-in and balcony solar in new-york.html
Pending. New York's SUNNY Act (1,200 W) passed the legislature and was awaiting the governor's signature as of October 2026.
Estimate a kit with the plug-in solar calculator.
Next steps
- Check your actual rate on your bill. Many utilities in new-york.html charge more or less than the state average.
- Run your own numbers in the savings calculator.
- Get at least three quotes and compare the price per watt. Use our quote checklist.
Questions about solar in new-york.html
Is solar worth it in new-york.html?
Strong case. Rooftop solar pays back quickly here for most sunny, owner-occupied homes. Get at least three quotes.
How much does a solar system cost in new-york.html?
At about $3.00 per watt before incentives, a 4.2 kW system costs roughly $12,690. Local quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.
How many panels would a new-york.html home need?
For a $150 monthly bill, about 4.2 kW, or roughly 2.3 panels per kW using 430 W panels. Use the system size calculator for your exact usage.