How much do solar panels cost in New York in 2026?

A typical 8kW solar system in New York costs approximately $24,000 before incentives. After the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit, your net cost is around $16,800.

Solar Panels in New York: Cost, Savings & Incentives (2026)

Q: Is solar worth it in New York?

New York has 4.3 peak sun hours per day and an average electricity rate of 22.4 cents per kWh. These are good conditions for solar investment. New York's NY-Sun Incentive Program offers Megawatt Block incentives that vary by utility territory. The NY Solar Sales Tax Exemption removes the 4% state sales tax on solar equipment. New York also has a strong net metering policy and an active SREC market. The NYC Property Tax Abatement further reduces costs in New York City.

Updated May 2026

A 8kW solar system in New York costs around $16,800 after the 30% federal tax credit and saves approximately $2,249 per year on electricity at the state's average rate of 22.4¢/kWh. With 4.3 peak sun hours per day, your estimated payback period is 7 years — leaving 15+ years of profit before the 25-year warranty period ends. Below: real cost data, all available incentives and a free personalised calculator.

4.3

Peak sun hours/day

22.4¢

Avg electricity rate

30%

Federal tax credit

8 kW

Typical system size

Is solar worth it in New York in 2026?

With an average electricity rate of 22.4¢ per kWh and 4.3 peak sun hours per day, New York homeowners are in a good position to benefit from solar panels. A typical 8kW system will produce around 10,044 kWh per year — enough to offset a significant portion of a typical New York home's electricity usage.

At current electricity rates, that production saves approximately $2,249 per year. Over 25 years — the standard panel warranty period — the projected net profit after recouping the system cost is around $39,425.

How much do solar panels cost in New York?

A 8kW solar system — typical for a New York home — costs approximately $24,000 before incentives (national average: ~$3,000 per kW installed).

Cost item	Amount
System cost (8kW)	$24,000
Federal 30% ITC	−$7,200
New York's NY-Sun Incentive Program offers Megawatt Block incentives that vary by utility territory. The NY Solar Sales Tax Exemption removes the 4% state sales tax on solar equipment. New York also has a strong net metering policy and an active SREC market. The NYC Property Tax Abatement further reduces costs in New York City.	Additional savings
Net cost (after federal ITC)	$16,800

Actual costs vary by installer. Always get at least 3 quotes. Installer labour, roof type and system complexity affect final pricing.

Solar incentives in New York (2026)

Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) — 30%

All US homeowners qualify for the 30% federal ITC through 2032. On a $24,000 system, this is a $7,200 tax credit — a direct reduction in federal taxes owed (not a deduction from taxable income).

New York state incentives

New York's NY-Sun Incentive Program offers Megawatt Block incentives that vary by utility territory. The NY Solar Sales Tax Exemption removes the 4% state sales tax on solar equipment. New York also has a strong net metering policy and an active SREC market. The NYC Property Tax Abatement further reduces costs in New York City.

Use our Solar Tax Credit Calculator to calculate your exact federal and state incentive amounts based on your system cost.

Solar payback period in New York

Based on a net system cost of $16,800 and estimated annual savings of $2,249, the estimated payback period for solar panels in New York is approximately 7 years.

After payback, your solar panels continue to produce free electricity for another 18+ years. Use our Solar Payback Calculator to customise this for your specific electricity bill and system size.

What affects solar savings in New York?

Every homeowner's solar savings are different. In New York, the key variables are:

Electricity rate (22.4¢/kWh): New York's above-average electricity rate means every kWh your solar panels produce is worth more than in cheaper-electricity states — this is one of the strongest drivers of fast payback.
Peak sun hours (4.3 hrs/day): New York's sun hours are below the national average. This is offset by choosing an appropriately-sized system and optimising roof orientation. South-facing roofs at 20–30° pitch perform best.
System size (8kW typical): The right size depends on your electricity bill. A $150/month bill typically requires a 6–8kW system to offset 80–100%. Use our System Size Calculator to find your exact target.
Roof type and orientation: South-facing roofs at 30° pitch are ideal. West-facing roofs produce 15–20% less but may generate more electricity during peak-price afternoon hours, improving time-of-use savings.