Cost > New York

Across the country, a number of states offer rebates, tax credits and other incentives for the purchase of a solar energy system. Among them, New York is considered a national leader of pro-renewables legislation.

In many cases, a combination of state-sponsored incentive rebates and tax credits can significantly reduce the final installed costs of a solar energy system. Below, you'll find info on the programs available at the state level in New York. Also, don't forget the 30-percent federal tax credit available to residents and businesses that install a solar energy system.

For a complete listing of solar energy installation professionals in your area, visit our New York Solar Directory.

New York Solar Rebate Programs
 
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): PV Incentive Program

The NYSERDA rebate program offers a fairly generous per watt rebate for installing solar power. A 3-kilowatt residential system, for example, would be eligible for a $12,000 rebate. Similarly, a 25-kilowatt commercial PV system would  receive $100,000.

During fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the program will provide $13.8 million in funding for PV.

Eligible: 
PV for all sectors

Amount for residential:        
$4.00 per watt for the first 5 kW of installed power; $3.00 per watt thereafter, up to a maximum system size of 10 kW

Amount for commercial and industrial:        
$4.00 per watt, up to system size of 25 kilowatts
$4.50 per watt for building-integrated PV systems (up to 25 kilowatts)

Amount for schools, non-profit and municipalities:       
$5.00 per watt, up to system size of 25 kilowatts

Other info:
To be eligible, the system must meet several technical standards and warranty requirements.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): Peak Load Reduction Program

The NYSERDA Peak Load Reduction program aims to reduce demand for electricity during peak periods. To this end, the state has allocated $37 million in incentives available THROUGH JUNE 30, 2008. A PV system that is at least 20 kilowatts in size may qualify for incentives equivalent to 65% of the project's cost.

Eligible: 
PV systems 20 kilowatts in size or bigger. (Some lighting technologies and other energy-conserving measures are also eligible).

Amount:        
Up to 65% of costs; varies depending on the type of load-reducing technology

KeySpan Energy Delivery: Solar Thermal Rebate Program

Eligible: 
Solar water heat and solar pool heat for residential customers; Solar space heat and solar thermal process heat fro commercial and industrial customers

Amount for residential:        
15% of project costs, up to $1,500

Amount for commercial/multi-family:        
$3 per therm (100,000 BTU) based on estimated first-year energy savings, up to 50% of project costs or $100,000

Long Island Power Authority (LIPA): Solar Pioneer Program

Eligible: 
PV for all sectors

Amount for residential and commercial:        
$3.50 per watt DC, for systems up to 10 kW in size

Amount for schools, non-profits and goverment:        
$4.50 per watt DC, for systems up to 10 kW in size

New York Tax Incentives for Solar Energy
 
New York Green Building Tax Credit Program: Corporate and Personal Tax Credits

In 2000, New York launched the Green Building Tax Credit to benefit both business and personal income taxpayers.

Eligible: 
PV, solar water heat, solar space heat (plus fuel cells and daylighting construction) for commercial, construction and multi-family residential sectors

Amount:       
Varies by project, distributed over 5 years for a maximum incentive of $2 million

Solar (and Fuel Cell) Tax Credit

This personal income tax credit enables residents to reduce their tax liability when purchasing solar-energy technologies.

Eligible: 
PV, solar water heat, solar space heat (and fuel cells) for residential and multi-family residential sectors

Amount:        
Up to 25% for PV and solar-thermal systems, up to $5,000

Other info:        
To be eligible, residential systems must not exceed 10kW in size; multi-family systems must not exceed 50 kW


Solar Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption

Eligible: 
PV, solar water heat, solar space heat, solar thermal process heat (plus wind, biomass and daylighting technologies) for application in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors

Amount:        
15-year exemption

Other info:        
This property tax exemption allows New Yorkers to install solar power systems without increasing their property tax liability.


Solar Sales Tax Exemption

Eligible: 
PV, solar water heat, solar space heat for residential sector

Amount:        
100% exemption

Other info:        
In 2005, New York enacted legislation exempting the sale and installation of residential solar-energy systems from the state's sales and compensating use taxes.

New York Grants and Loans for Solar Energy
 

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): Renewables R&D Grant Program

While this program won't help much if you're seeking incentives for installing solar power for your home or business, this competitive research program is designed to promote technological advances in solar technology—something that will pay off for everyone in the long run.

Eligible: 
PV, solar thermal electric and a host of other technologies

Amount:       
Varies by the type of solicitation

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): Energy $mart Loan Fund

Eligible: 
PV, wind, geothermal heat pumps (plus a host of energy-saving technologies like energy efficient appliances, insulation and caulking/weather-stripping) for all sectors

Amount and terms for residential (1 to 4 family homes):       
$20,000 ($5,000 per unit), up to 4.0% below lender rate for 10 years

Amount and terms for commercial and other non-residential borrowers:       
$1 million, up to 6.5% below the lender rate for qualifying projects; projects may also qualify for Green Building Improvement funds up to $500,000

Other info:        
To qualify for Green Building Improvement, the borrower must provide evidence that the building has been registered for LEED certification with the U.S. Green Building Council.


New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): Home Performance with Energy Star Loan Program

Eligible: 
PV, wind, geothermal heat pumps (plus a host of energy-saving technologies like energy efficient appliances, insulation and caulking/weather-stripping) for residential

Amount for residential:       
Up to 100% of project costs, typically ranging from $2,500 to a maximum amount of $20,000

Terms for residential:       
5.99% APR, fixed loan terms of 3, 5, 7 and 10  years

Other info:        
Loans are unsecured

Net Metering Rules

In June of 2007, the New York State Assembly passed Bill 08690, a piece of legislation that expands the scope of New York's net metering provisions. Essentially the bill means that customers who install solar power will receive credite for the excess power generated by their PV systems.

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