NY-Sun (NYSERDA Solar Program)

Administered by: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Status: Active in 2026 Verified: May 22, 2026 against NY-Sun Program Page

What it is

NY-Sun is the state's main upfront solar incentive. NYSERDA runs it. The program covers residential rooftop and ground-mounted installs, community solar subscriptions, small businesses, multifamily buildings, and municipalities.

There's no single flat-rate figure because the incentive amount is location-specific. Which utility serves your address, which Megawatt Block your project falls into, and how much capacity remains in that block all affect what you'll actually get. NYSERDA's incentive calculator takes your address and tells you what's on the table. The NYSERDA Contractors Dashboard is where installers and homeowners can check current block rates.

New York also has a separate 25% state solar tax credit, up to $5,000, that stacks on top of whatever upfront NY-Sun incentive you receive. That credit is administered through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

The federal 30% solar tax credit (§25D) expired December 31, 2025. It is not available for systems installed in 2026. If a contractor mentions it, ask them to show you the current IRS guidance. See Federal Residential Energy Credits: Program Ended for details on what expired and when.

Who qualifies

Homeowners with rooftop or ground-mounted systems on their primary or secondary residence
Small businesses and commercial property owners
Multifamily building owners
Municipalities and nonprofit organizations
Renters who can't install panels: community solar subscriptions through the same NY-Sun program let you pay into a local solar array and get a credit on your electric bill

The program does not pay renters directly for rooftop solar (they don't own the roof). Community solar is the path in for renters.

What you get

The amount depends on your address. You have to use the rebate finder to get a real number.

That said, EnergySage (a secondary source, not NYSERDA directly) has published the following Megawatt Block rates:

Standard customers: $150 per kW
Low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers: $800 per kW

These rates change as blocks fill. The figures above may be outdated by the time you read this. Treat them as a ballpark, not a contract. Get the actual number from NYSERDA's tool before signing with any installer.

On top of the NY-Sun incentive, the state 25% solar tax credit (up to $5,000) applies to purchased systems. Your installer will need to provide documentation for both.

How to apply

Go to nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/NY-Sun and use the address-based rebate finder to see your current incentive amount.
Get quotes from at least two NYSERDA-approved installers. The installer handles the NY-Sun rebate paperwork on your behalf at the time of install.
Claim the NY State 25% solar tax credit (up to $5,000) when you file your state income tax return for the year the system is placed in service.
File IRS Form 5695 to claim any applicable federal credits. Check current IRS guidance first. §25D expired December 31, 2025, and most 2026 installs won't qualify for a federal credit. If you're also replacing heating equipment, the NYS Clean Heat program has separate rebates for heat pumps that stack independently of your solar incentive.

Important dates

No published deadline for NY-Sun as of May 22, 2026. The program uses a block-based structure, so rebate availability depends on remaining capacity in your local block, not a calendar cutoff. Blocks do fill and close without advance notice. Earlier is safer.

Source

NY-Sun Program Page, NYSERDA (retrieved May 22, 2026)
NY-Sun Contractors Dashboard and Incentive Rates, NYSERDA (secondary rate figures via EnergySage; retrieve directly to confirm current block rates)
NY Solar Energy System Equipment Credit, NYS Tax (25% state tax credit, up to $5,000)
Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (§25D), IRS (confirmed expired for property placed in service after December 31, 2025)

NYSERB.com is an independent research site. It is not affiliated with NYSERDA, the State of New York, or any utility. Verify all program details and incentive amounts directly with NYSERDA before making any financial decision.

Verified against www.nyserda.ny.gov, www.nyserda.ny.gov, www.tax.ny.gov, www.irs.gov on May 22, 2026.