New York is putting $200 million into solar with $3,000 home discounts
New York is bringing back solar money for homeowners.
The short version
- Lower- and moderate-income households could get a $3,000 discount.
- Applications are expected to open in the coming weeks.
- NYSERDA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, will pay the installer directly.
New York is putting $200 million into solar panels and clean energy projects, according to Syracuse.com. The state is bringing back the Affordable Solar Residential Incentive, which could knock about $3,000 off the price for lower- and moderate-income Upstate homeowners. The residential discount is part of a larger $200 million solar package approved in the state's fiscal year 2027 budget.
NYSERDA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, expects the money to help pay for roughly 6,500 home solar systems over about two years. Households must earn no more than 80% of the area median income to qualify. In Onondaga County, a two-person household earning up to $68,400 meets the limit, while a family of four can earn up to $85,450.
Homeowners will not receive a check directly from the state. NY-Sun, the state solar incentive program, will pay the installer directly after the work is finished, and the installer must reduce the homeowner's price by the full amount. A larger portion of the package, $116 million, will go toward commercial and community solar projects larger than 1 megawatt.
Community solar lets customers benefit from electricity produced by a larger project elsewhere instead of putting panels on their own roofs. NYSERDA expects the package to add more than 565 megawatts of solar power, enough to power more than 90,000 homes. Applications will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check your local utility rules before you sign any contracts.
