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Rebate · NYSERDA · New York

NY-Sun MW Block Solar Incentive

$0.20–$0.40 per watt upfront (varies by zone and remaining block)

NY-Sun MW Block is the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's flagship residential solar incentive. The program pays an upfront rebate of $0.20 to $0.40 per watt of installed solar capacity, with rates varying by geographic zone (Con Ed has highest rates, Long Island next, Upstate lower) and the current MW Block step. Each block holds a fixed allocation of MW capacity at the current rate; when depleted, the next block opens at a lower rate. The Affordable Solar tier pays $0.80 to $1.00 per watt for income-qualified households (≤80% Area Median Income). NY-Sun stacks with the federal 25D credit and the New York State Solar Tax Credit (25% capped at $5,000) for one of the strongest residential solar stacks in the United States.

Eligibility

Who qualifies?

New York residential customers of participating utilities (Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Central Hudson, O&R, PSEG-LI).

System size limits?

Up to 25 kW for residential. Most homes install 6–10 kW.

Affordable Solar tier?

≤80% Area Median Income or DAC residency or qualifying program participation (CARE-equivalent).

How to apply for NY-Sun MW Block

  1. Choose NYSERDA-enrolled installer

    Use the NYSERDA installer directory at nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/NY-Sun. Most large NY solar installers are enrolled.

  2. Get a quote with rebate applied

    Installer reserves the rebate against the current MW Block at contract signing. Rebate appears as upfront price reduction.

  3. Reservation valid 12 months

    Permit, install, and pass utility interconnection within the reservation window.

  4. Discount applied at commissioning

    Rebate paid to installer upon successful interconnection. Installer credits homeowner.

Stacking with other programs

Stacks with federal 25D (30%, uncapped, with carryforward), NY State Solar Tax Credit (25%, capped at $5,000, with 5-year carryforward), property tax exemption RPTL §487 (15-year, opt-in by jurisdiction), NYC Real Property Tax Abatement (up to 30% over 4 years for NYC homes), and NY sales tax exemption (100% state + local). The full NY stack regularly delivers 50%+ system cost coverage.

Frequently asked questions

How does NY-Sun stack with the NY State Solar Tax Credit? +
NY-Sun reduces cost basis; NY State credit is 25% of pre-rebate cost up to $5,000 cap; federal 25D is 30% of post-rebate basis. On a $20,000 system: NY-Sun $1,400 → basis $18,600. NY State 25% × $20,000 capped at $5,000. Federal 30% × $18,600 = $5,580. Total = $11,980 incentives.
How does ConEd zone differ from upstate? +
ConEd zone (NYC) typically pays $0.30–$0.40/W. Long Island PSEG-LI pays slightly less. Upstate utilities (NYSEG, RG&E) pay $0.20–$0.30/W. Block step-down is uniform statewide.
Block step-down — how often? +
When a block depletes, the next block opens at a lower rate. Step-downs occur every 2–6 months in heavy-demand zones. Reservation locks the rate at the time of submission.
NY-Sun vs Affordable Solar? +
Affordable Solar pays roughly 2x the standard NY-Sun rate ($0.80–$1.00/W). Income-qualified eligibility required. Cannot claim both — choose the higher.

Official program page: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/NY-Sun

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