Written by Dean Mahmoud, CEO, and checked by Trevor Guilday, founder.Prices from the September 2026 Cost Index. Utility prices from EIA, September 2025 to August 2026. Updated October 19, 2026.
A typical 8.98 kW New York system costs about $27,120 in cash, at $3.02 per watt. Before incentives it pays for itself in about 8.8 years statewide, 7.2 years with Con Edison and 11.8 years with National Grid upstate (simple payback before incentives). If you can use the full $5,000 state tax credit, that drops to 5.9 and 9.6 years. Your utility makes most of that gap.
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Solar pays back fastest where power costs the most. In New York the average price runs from 23.24¢ to 38.52¢ per kWh, depending on the name at the top of your bill.
New York City and most of Westchester. Solar charge $1.41 per kW a month, about $152 a year on the typical system.
Next: the Con Edison example pays back in about 7.2 years before incentives, 5.9 after the $5,000 state credit.
Long Island and the Rockaways. Solar charge $1.13 per kW a month. Credits only for systems up to 25 kW and 110% of your last 12 months of use.
Next: size the system to your last 12 months of bills.
Central Hudson, Orange & Rockland, NYSEG, RG&E and National Grid. Solar charge $0.97 to $1.67 per kW a month.
Next: find your utility in the table below.
| Utility | Area | Average price | Solar charge per kW a month | Solar charge a year, 8.98 kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Con Edison | New York City and most of Westchester | 38.52¢ | $1.41 | $152 |
| Central Hudson | Mid-Hudson Valley | 30.71¢ | $1.67 | $180 |
| Orange & Rockland | Rockland and Orange county area | 28.04¢ | $1.12 | $121 |
| PSEG Long Island | Long Island and the Rockaways | 27.71¢ | $1.13 | $122 |
| NYSEG | Southern Tier and other upstate areas | 24.86¢ | $1.19 | $128 |
| RG&E | Rochester area | 23.88¢ | $1.31 | $141 |
| National Grid | Upstate, from Buffalo to Albany | 23.24¢ | $0.97 | $105 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Average price is each utility’s residential revenue divided by its sales, September 2025 to August 2026 (EIA, preliminary), for homes that buy power from the utility. It includes fixed charges that solar does not remove, so your saving per kWh can be lower. The 28.60¢ statewide average is for comparing states only.
If a city or village electric department sends your bill, these rules may not apply. Ask it for its solar terms in writing before you size a system.
The big utilities credit the power you send out kWh for kWh. Homes connected on or after January 1, 2022 also pay a monthly solar charge, the Customer Benefit Contribution (CBC).
| Utility and place | Yearly savings | Simple payback before incentives | After the $5,000 state credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con Edison, New York City | $3,765 | 7.2 years | 5.9 years |
| Central Hudson, Mid-Hudson Valley | $3,045 | 8.9 years | 7.3 years |
| PSEG Long Island | $2,892 | 9.4 years | 7.6 years |
| Orange & Rockland | $2,821 | 9.6 years | 7.8 years |
| NYSEG, Southern Tier and upstate | $2,504 | 10.8 years | 8.8 years |
| RG&E, Rochester area | $2,284 | 11.9 years | 9.7 years |
| National Grid, upstate | $2,298 | 11.8 years | 9.6 years |
At the September 2026 benchmark of $3.02 per watt. These are modeled cash prices, not quotes we collected.
System size | Cash price | State credit | After the credit |
|---|---|---|---|
5 kW | $15,100 | $3,775 | $11,325 |
8 kW | $24,160 | $5,000 | $19,160 |
8.98 kW (typical) | $27,120 | $5,000 | $22,120 |
12 kW | $36,240 | $5,000 | $31,240 |
Most homes get no rebate check in 2026. The money comes through your state tax return, taxes you do not pay and a battery incentive.
Claimed on Form IT-255. Unused credit carries forward 5 years; no refund.
No 4% state tax or 3/8% transit district tax. Give the seller or installer Form ST-121 (box U) when you buy the equipment or the installation.
Outside New York City, file Form RP-487 with your assessor, unless your county, city, town, village or school district opted out.
Closed. Long Island Affordable Solar still pays $0.40 per watt below 80% of area median income.
Way to pay | Who owns the panels | Who gets the state credit | Check before you sign |
|---|---|---|---|
Cash | You | You | The credit comes off your tax, not your price |
Loan | You | You | Total financed vs. cash price; NYSERDA lends up to $25,000 |
Lease | The company | You, if 10 years or more | Yearly increase; no credit after year 15 |
PPA | The company | You, if 10 years or more | Price per kWh vs. your utility’s |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Tax wording reviewed and approved by Layton Smith Sr., EA (October 16, 2026).
Three of the 16 companies on our New York solar companies page, listed A to Z, not ranked; that page rates all 16. New York has no state contractor license; some counties and cities license their own. Facts from company sites and records, read October 9 to 15, 2026.
Momentum Solar and Venture Home buy homeowner leads from EcoGen America. That does not change their facts or their place in this A to Z list. How we make money. What the Verified badge means.
Ask each installer to show your utility’s price and its solar charge on the same page.
EcoGen America does not sell or install solar. When you request quotes, we pass your request to solar providers serving your area, and they pay us for the introduction. Providers can include installers, solar marketplaces and lead exchanges. You never pay us. Privacy policy
CEO of EcoGen America. Since 2021 he has connected homeowners with residential solar installers in all 50 states.
About Dean
Founder of EcoGen America. He has worked in residential solar since 2016 and maintains the EcoGen Solar Cost Index.
About TrevorEditorial standardsCost Index methodologyVerified Installer methodology
