Rochester, NY Solar Installation: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Rochester
If you live in Rochester, NY, you’ve likely watched your electricity bills climb year after year. In fact, New York electricity prices have increased 33% from 2020 to 2024, which is why more homeowners are looking at solar.
You’re not alone in considering the switch. New York ranks 4th in the nation for residential solar installations. This guide walks you through the basics of solar installation in the area. For a deeper look, check out our guide on home solar panels.
New York by the Numbers
- 4th Most residential solar in the United States
- 204 Households have installed solar panels
- 4.3 Avg peak sun hours per day
- ~$101k Rochester average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Rochester, NY?
Curious what solar really costs in Rochester? This calculator uses our own installation data from across the area—including Greece, Irondequoit, Brighton, Pittsford, Webster, and Henrietta—to give you real, local estimates. No guesswork, just firsthand numbers to help you understand solar for your home.
| Lease | Cash Purchase |
|---|---|
| Small Home | Up to 2,000 sq ft |
| Medium Home | 2,000-3,000 sq ft |
| Large Home | Over 3,000 sq ft |
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in New York.
Recommended System: 9.43 kW
Your Monthly Payment: Estimated monthly cost with LightReach is $102/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment:
System Cost: $27,968
Price per Watt: $2.97
State Incentives: -$5,000
Final Cost: $22,968
Savings
Your total financial benefit:
Monthly Savings: Average utility bill reduction $231
Payback Period: 7.4 years
25-Year Savings: $101,064
Palmetto Reviews
Palmetto Solar has been nothing but solid for me. Their app is clean, easy to use, and honestly kind of addictive — I catch myself checking my energy production like it’s a scoreboard. And the savings on my electric bill are the real deal. Every month I’m seeing the difference. Their customer service deserves a shoutout too. Every time I reached out, they were friendly, patient, and actually helpful. No runaround, no “we’ll get back to you someday” energy — just people who know their stuff and take care of you. If you’re thinking about going solar, Palmetto makes the whole thing smooth, simple, and worth it.
Jesse Richardson, Rochester, New York
Palmetto Solar is a fantastic solar company to work with. They provide great communication every step of the way. Customer service is excellent! Keeping their customers, fully informed of just how simple the solar install and payment setup is; plus keeping my expectations of the process very simple. They are available to speak to, which makes it easy to understand how things work once all is completed. I high recommend Palmetto Solar.
Maria Margaritis, New York, New York
We have had such a great experience with Palmetto. Our solar panels went up without complication and we have now had 2 full months and our electric bill has been nothing more than our extended warranty for outside wiring. Our monthly payment to Palmetto even went down $20 before we made the first payment! It cost us absolutely NOTHING to get started either. I didn’t believe it possible but it’s true and I would do it for every home I live in from now on! They look good too! They don’t stick out like I’ve seen others do.
Crystal Royall, Virginia, Virginia
Key Takeaways
- Rochester homeowners can save around $101,000 over 25 years with solar, thanks to rising RG&E rates and a payback period of roughly 7.4 years.
- New York offers strong solar incentives like a 25% state tax credit up to $5,000, plus sales and property tax exemptions and net metering.
- No upfront cost with a LightReach lease, starting around $102/month, where Palmetto owns and maintains the system with a production guarantee included.
Rochester Electricity Prices
If you live in Rochester, NY, you’ve likely watched your electricity bills climb year after year. Here’s why solar is worth a look.
New York electricity prices rose about 25% from 2021 to 2024, climbing from 19.5 to 24.4 cents per unit of energy used (kWh). Rochester homeowners served by RG&E feel this on every monthly bill.
Solar panels offer a way to take control. By generating your own power, a solar installation lets you rely less on the grid and shields you from the steady rate increases utility customers face.
Over the long term, solar panels can bring more predictable energy costs for years to come. Instead of paying rising rates indefinitely, you invest in a system that produces clean power for your Rochester home. Learn more in our guide on home solar panels.
Price of Energy: New York vs National Average
- 2021: 19.5¢
- 2022: 22.1¢
- 2023: 22.2¢
- 2024: 24.4¢
Rochester Area Utility Providers
In Rochester, NY, most homes get their power from RG&E. In 2023, the most recent data available, RG&E charged about 16.1¢ per kWh.
RG&E’s 2023 rate of 16.1¢ per kWh sits close to the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh. It falls well below New York’s state average of 22.20¢ per kWh, thanks partly to local hydroelectric and grid factors.
Rochester Utilities Electricity Rates
- RG&E: 16.10¢ (+1%)
- NY Average: 22.20¢ (+39%)
- US Average: 16.0¢
New York Solar Incentives
Rochester homeowners can tap into several solar incentives in New York that help offset the cost of installing a solar energy system.
These incentives come in several forms. New York offers state tax credits, upfront rebates through NY-Sun and NYSERDA, sales and property tax exemptions, plus net metering and community solar options that credit your electric bill.
The federal 30% residential tax credit has ended, but these state and local incentives remain.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York State Solar Energy System Equipment Tax Credit | Tax Credit | New York State offers a 25% personal income tax credit on the cost of a solar energy system, up to a maximum of $5,000. | Learn More |
| NY-Sun Megawatt Block Rebate Program (Low-Income / Affordable Solar) | Rebate | NYSERDA’s NY-Sun Megawatt Block program provides upfront per-watt rebates for qualifying low-income households, as standard-income blocks are currently closed in most regions. | Learn More |
| New York State Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | New York State exempts the purchase and installation of residential solar energy system equipment from state and most local sales and use taxes. | Learn More |
| Battery Storage Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Residential battery storage systems are exempt from New York State and local sales and use taxes, with the current exemption set to expire May 31, 2026, and a proposed extension through June 1, 2028. | Learn More |
| New York State Property Tax Exemption for Solar (RPTL Section 487) | Property Tax Exemption | Under Real Property Tax Law Section 487, any increase in a home’s assessed value resulting from a solar energy system installation is fully exempt from property taxes for 15 years. | Learn More |
| NYSERDA Residential Energy Storage Incentive Program | Rebate | NYSERDA offers upfront cash rebates of $200–$250 per kWh of usable battery capacity for residential energy storage systems installed by approved contractors, with incentives reaching over $6,000 per household. | Learn More |
| Net Metering & Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) Tariff | Net Metering | New York solar customers can choose between traditional 1-to-1 net metering (locked in for 20 years) or the VDER Value Stack tariff, which compensates solar generation based on multiple grid value components. | Learn More |
| NY-Sun Community Solar Program | Rebate | New York homeowners, renters, and businesses can subscribe to a community solar project and receive credits on their monthly electric bills — typically saving 5–10% on electricity costs — without installing panels on their property. | Learn More |
| Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit (Solar Component) | Tax Credit | New York homeowners in eligible historic districts can claim a 20% state tax credit (up to $50,000) on qualifying home improvement costs, including solar installations, on owner-occupied homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. | Learn More |
Rochester Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Rochester’s snowy winters and cloudy skies near Lake Ontario may seem challenging for solar. But like Seattle and Boston, Rochester’s long summer days make it surprisingly productive with the right system.
Solar Production in Rochester by Month
System Size: 5 kW, 7 kW, 10 kW
Summer Production (July)
- Energy Production: 50.1 kWh/day
- Can power: 3.3 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
Winter Production (December)
- Energy Production: 12.7 kWh/day
- Can power: 0.8 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
Annual Production: 12,062 kWh/year
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Solar Panel Systems in Rochester
We’ve mapped solar installations across the country, right down to the neighborhood. Explore this interactive heatmap to see how many of your Rochester neighbors have switched to solar.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Rochester, homes served by Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) can go solar through a LightReach solar lease, available with select Palmetto partners. Instead of paying tens of thousands upfront, you pay one predictable monthly amount based on your system’s estimated yearly production.
A lease works differently than a power purchase agreement (PPA), where you’d pay a set price per kilowatt-hour. Over a year, savings are typically similar, but a lease gives you the same bill each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rochester, NY have net metering?
Yes. Rochester homeowners served by Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) can use net metering. Under this 1:1 program, the solar power your panels send to the grid is netted against your monthly electricity use, so you get full retail-rate credit for what you export.
Do solar panels increase your home value in Rochester, NY?
Yes, owned or purchased solar panel systems can increase your home’s value in Rochester, NY. A Zillow study found homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more, and New York’s property tax exemption shields that added value for 15 years.
This benefit applies to systems you own outright, not leased or third-party (TPO) systems.
How much does it cost to go solar in Rochester, NY?
With a LightReach lease, Rochester homeowners can go solar for a low fixed monthly payment—starting around $102/month—with no upfront cost, since Palmetto owns and maintains the system.
What’s the best solar company in Rochester, NY?
At Palmetto, we’ve completed 2,278 solar installations across New York since 2020. We encourage Rochester homeowners to compare reviews, guarantees, and financing before deciding what works for you.