Solar in New York City
Solar in New York City: what to know
New York City is one of the most compelling places in the country to go solar. With high electricity rates, strong state and city incentives, and dense housing that benefits from efficient system design, solar can help homeowners take more control over how they power their homes.
Even in an urban environment, solar panels can perform reliably. Systems are designed to account for roof size, shading from nearby buildings, and seasonal sunlight changes. With modern equipment and thoughtful system design, many NYC homeowners can offset a meaningful portion of their electricity use over time.
Incentives available in New York further support adoption. Programs like NY-Sun, along with state and city-level benefits, can help reduce upfront costs and improve long-term value. These programs are typically applied directly through your installer, simplifying the process.
Sunrun helps streamline every step, from system design and permitting to installation and ongoing support. Instead of managing multiple providers, homeowners can rely on one partner to handle the full experience.
Go solar in New York
Powering New York: Easy Process. Better technology. Happy customers.
*Actual savings vary by customer
Sunrun Subscription Plan vs. solar panels ownership
Our solar lease subscription plan offers predictable, affordable rates for as little as $0 down in upfront costs, or you could purchase solar panels outright.
Sunrun Subscription Plan
Leasing solar panels
Benefits
- Predictable, affordable payments
- Protect against rising utility costs
- Extended Sunrun warranties including workmanship and energy production guarantee for life of contract, 10 year roof penetration warranty, 24/7 system monitoring
Who maintains?
- Sunrun owns and maintains
- Plan transfers to new owners if you sell your home
Payments
- $0 to little down
- Locked in monthly solar lease
Solar panels ownership
Purchasing solar panels
Benefits
- Own your system outright
- Protect against rising utility costs
- Manufacturer's equipment warranties, 10 year workmanship guarantee, and 10 year roof penetration warranty
Who maintains?
- I service and care for my system myself
- Transfers to new owners if you sell your home
Payments
- Full system cost (cash upfront)
Power when you need it most
Keep your home running smoothly during outages
Take control of rising New York City electricity costs with solar designed to offset your usage and bring more predictability to your monthly energy bills.
FAQs
For many homeowners, solar is worth considering in New York City due to high electricity rates, strong incentives, and the ability to make energy costs more predictable over time. System performance will depend on your roof, shading, and energy usage.
Yes. Solar systems are designed to perform in urban environments. Experienced installers like Sunrun account for shading, roof layout, and building height to optimize system performance within the available space.
Solar panels are designed to be low maintenance. Most systems require minimal upkeep, with occasional cleaning and monitoring to ensure consistent performance. Many Sunrun plans include maintenance and support.
New York City homeowners may have access to programs like NY-Sun incentives, state tax credits, and local property tax abatements. Many of these incentives are applied through your solar provider and reflected in your system cost or plan pricing. Availability and eligibility can vary based on your home, system, and how you choose to go solar.
Sources
1. https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/NY-Sun/On-site-Solar/Homes/Paying-for-Solar