Solar & energy in New York

Strong incentives + good NM keep solar viable despite lower sun hours.

Avg electricity rate
$0.22/kWh
USA average
Peak sun hours
4.0
Annual average
Net metering
good
Full retail NM (VDER for new)
Solar friendliness
★★★★☆
Out of 5

Key facts

  • RegionNew York
  • CountryUSA
  • Average rate$0.22/kWh
  • Peak rate (TOU)$0.32/kWh
  • Off-peak rate (TOU)$0.12/kWh
  • Peak sun hours4.0 hrs/day
  • Net metering policyFull retail NM (VDER for new)
  • NM qualityGood
  • Solar friendliness rating★★★★/5

Available incentives

  • NY-Sun rebate
  • Property tax exemption

Net metering quality

Quality of net metering policy (higher = better for solar economics):

Good — Full retail NM (VDER for new)

What this means

Good net metering policies keep solar profitable with reasonable payback periods.

Example: 900 kWh/month household in New York

At 4.0 peak sun hours and a 400W panel, you'd need approximately 21 panels (8.4 kW system) to cover your usage. That produces ~10,547 kWh/year, saving about $2,320/year at the 0.22/kWh local rate.

Run the full calculator

Going solar in New York

New York, in New York, USA, has 4.0 average peak sun hours per day — good for solar. The local electricity rate is $0.22/kWh, which is above the USA average.

Net metering in New York is rated good. Full retail NM (VDER for new). This significantly affects solar payback: with excellent net metering, every excess kWh you produce is credited at full retail value; with poor net metering, exports may be worth only 10-30% of retail, making battery storage much more attractive.

Available incentives include: NY-Sun rebate, Property tax exemption. These can substantially reduce the upfront cost of solar and battery installations. Note: the US federal solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. State and local incentives still vary by region. South African taxpayers can claim accelerated depreciation under SARS section 12B.

Next steps

Use the Solar Panel Sizing Calculator with 4.0 peak sun hours to find out exactly how many panels you need. Then check the Solar Savings Calculator for a 25-year projection using the local $0.22/kWh rate. If net metering is poor in New York, also run the Battery ROI Calculator — batteries may be essential rather than optional.