New York solar calculator
Size a New York home solar system from your electric bill — kW, panel count, roof area, true cost with no federal credit for 2026 installs, and payback.
Quick answer: At $0.299/kWh and 4.0 peak sun hours, a $200/month bill needs about 7.38 kW — 18 × 410 W panels covering ~36 m². Gross cost is ~$20,443 with no federal credit for systems installed after 2025, offsetting $2,400 a year for a ~8.5 year payback.
Your details
Ballpark, not gospel. Ballpark, not gospel. Sized at 78% real-world output with the New York sun-hour average (4.0 peak sun hours) — confirm shading, roof angle and your utility’s metering terms with a local installer before buying. The savings math values all generation at your retail rate. New York locks residential 1:1 net metering for 20 years for 2026 installs (up to 25 kW) — but confirm NY-Sun rebate block availability with NYSERDA before quoting, as some territories (e.g. Long Island) are exhausted.
The 30% credit ended — what changed
The residential clean energy credit (26 U.S.C. § 25D) gave homeowners a 30% credit on solar installed from 2022 through 2025. The July 2025 tax law ended it: no credit is available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. That is why every figure on this page is ~30% higher than pre-2026 guides show. If your system went live by the end of 2025, tick the box above to see the credit applied; leased systems may still benefit because the leasing company claims the commercial credit. Source: IRS — Residential Clean Energy Credit.
Typical New York system sizes by monthly bill
| Monthly bill | System size | Panels (410 W) | Net cost (no 2026 federal credit) | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | 3.69 kW | 9 | $10,221 | 8.5 years |
| $200 | 7.38 kW | 18 | $20,443 | 8.5 years |
| $300 | 11.07 kW | 27 | $30,664 | 8.5 years |
Computed at $0.299/kWh, 4.0 peak sun hours and $2.77/W installed, with no federal credit for 2026 installs. Run your exact bill above.
Solar in New York: the details
Solar cost in New York
Solar in New York costs a bit more than the national average, but it displaces the most expensive electricity in the country. The EnergySage marketplace averaged about $2.77 per watt installed in 2026, with market quotes typically landing $2.35–$3.18/W — roughly mid-pack in the $2.50–$3.50/W national band. A typical ~13 kW system grosses around $36,000, with no federal credit for 2026 homeowner installs — but the 25% state credit and sky-high rates change the math.
What moves the number: roof complexity, panel tier, and how competitive the quote market is in your metro. Get at least three quotes — spreads of $0.50/W between installers are common.
Export rules: getting paid for surplus power
New York residential systems keep full retail 1:1 net metering with a 20-year lock-in for 2026 installs (up to 25 kW). That lock-in is rare and valuable: your metering terms are fixed for two decades. Larger projects move to the VDER “Value Stack” — time- and location-based credits rather than straight kWh-for-kWh netting.
Practical takeaway: for a residential roof, keep the system at or under 25 kW and the lock-in applies — but check your utility’s true-up rules and confirm whether NY-Sun rebate blocks are still open in your territory before sizing.
New York solar incentives
New York layers three state benefits: a 25% state solar tax credit up to $5,000 (Form IT-255, with 5-year carryforward), a sales tax exemption, and a 15-year property tax exemption. New York City adds a property tax abatement worth about 30% of system cost over four years. One caution: NY-Sun residential rebate blocks are exhausted in some territories (Long Island as of September 2026) — confirm block availability with NYSERDA before quoting any rebate.
Is solar worth it in New York?
Verdict: a strong yes on the numbers. The calculator puts a $200/month bill at a ~8.5-year payback with no federal credit — the highest electricity rates in the country (~$0.299/kWh) mean every kWh you self-consume is worth more here than almost anywhere else. The 25% state credit and the 20-year net metering lock-in make this one of the safest solar bets in the US — just confirm NY-Sun block availability before counting on any rebate.
Questions people actually ask
Straight answers, no fluff. Then run your own numbers above.
How many solar panels do I need in New York?
It follows your bill. At the New York average of $0.299/kWh and 4.0 peak sun hours, a $200/month bill needs about a 7.38 kW system — roughly 18 × 410 W panels covering ~36 m² of roof.
What is the average cost of solar panels in New York in 2026?
The EnergySage marketplace averaged about $2.77 per watt installed in 2026, with market quotes typically $2.35–$3.18/W — roughly mid-pack in the national $2.50–$3.50/W band. A typical ~13 kW system grosses around $36,000, with no federal credit for 2026 homeowner installs.
Does New York have net metering?
Yes — and it’s locked in. Residential systems keep full retail 1:1 net metering with a 20-year lock-in for 2026 installs (up to 25 kW); larger projects are compensated under the VDER “Value Stack” with time- and location-based credits.
Does New York offer any solar tax credit or rebate?
Yes, layered benefits: a 25% state solar tax credit up to $5,000 (Form IT-255, 5-year carryforward), a sales tax exemption, and a 15-year property tax exemption. New York City adds a property tax abatement worth about 30% of system cost over four years.
Is the 30% federal solar tax credit still available?
Not for homeowner purchases anymore. The residential clean energy credit (26 U.S.C. § 25D) is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, under the July 2025 tax law (Public Law 119-21). Systems installed by the end of 2025 can still claim 30%, and leased systems may still benefit because the leasing company claims the commercial credit instead. (Source: IRS — Residential Clean Energy Credit.)
Is solar worth it in New York?
The calculator puts a $200/month bill at a ~8.5-year payback with no federal credit — the country’s highest residential rates do the work, and the 25% state credit plus the 20-year net metering lock-in make it one of the safest solar bets in the US. Just confirm NY-Sun rebate availability in your territory first.
Figures last checked October 2026. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly (July 2026: 29.90¢/kWh), NREL PVWatts/NSRDB (~3.5–4.5 peak sun hours), DSIRE, New York Public Service Commission; IRS — Residential Clean Energy Credit.
More US solar calculators
Compare other states: Texas, Florida, California, Arizona, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina. And the national US solar calculator for country averages.
Comparing quotes? The solar cost calculator breaks down cost per watt and the solar ROI calculator maps your payback year by year. Going deeper: installation cost guide, how net metering works, how much you can save with solar and the solar batteries guide.