NY-Sun Solar Program

NY-Sun Solar Incentives

Supports New York solar adoption through incentives for systems and community solar participation.

Eligibility · United States · US-NY

NY-Sun is the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's flagship solar incentive program, funded through the Clean Energy Fund under a multi-year commitment expanded by a 2021 Public Service Commission order. The program delivers upfront per-watt declining-block incentives structured in megawatt tiers across geographic and market segments. Incentives are available on a rolling basis as long as block capacity remains; rates decline automatically as each block fills. NY-Sun supports two distinct pathways: on-site solar (rooftop and ground-mount installations for homes, businesses, multifamily buildings, and municipalities) and community solar (subscription access to shared off-site projects for customers who cannot or choose not to install panels). New York State leads the nation in community solar capacity, with more than 800 community solar projects operational and over 14,000 solar workers statewide.

Eligibility is broad: residential homeowners, renters, small businesses, large commercial customers, nonprofits, multifamily building owners, and municipalities all qualify. Renters can participate through a community solar subscription without any on-site installation. Installers must be NYSERDA-approved, and customers should use the NYSERDA installer locator before contracting. NY-Sun incentives stack with the New York State 25 percent solar tax credit and the federal Inflation Reduction Act 30 percent investment tax credit, making combined incentive packages substantial for qualifying projects.

There is no fixed application deadline; instead, installers and developers claim available block capacity on a continuous rolling basis. Because rates decline as megawatt blocks fill, applying earlier within a block tier captures higher per-watt incentives. Financing is available alongside incentives through NYSERDA Residential Financing Programs and the NY Green Bank for projects requiring construction or predevelopment capital. The program is administered through NYSERDA and information on current block rates and available capacity is maintained at the NY-Sun program portal.