Why 2026 Is the Year to Go Solar in NYC

Sponsored By Brooklyn SolarWorks

Brooklyn SolarWorks is a Gowanus-based solar design and installation firm serving New York City's homes and businesses.

Created By Brownstoner

New York homeowners face another round of price hikes from ConEd. The utility company announced electricity rates will jump 3.5 percent in 2026, with more increases coming: 3.2 percent in 2027 and 3.1 percent in 2028. Gas prices are heading up too, putting extra pressure on family budgets.

But there’s a way to dodge these rising electricity costs: solar power. NYC homeowners who install solar panels can offset their ConEd bills by hundreds of dollars each month. Many solar users end up paying just a basic service fee, avoiding most supply charges throughout the year.

The city wants more homes to make this switch. NYC offers strong incentives that stack together:

● A 30 percent Property Tax Abatement
● $5,000 NY State income tax credit
● 20 percent installation cost coverage for qualifying historic homes
● Net metering to bank summer energy for winter use

This combination of incentives helps explain why more New Yorkers are switching to solar now. Net metering is particularly valuable—it lets homeowners store up extra energy credits during sunny months to cover their winter usage.

Why does NYC have some of the best solar incentives in the country? It may be due to NYC’s bigger climate goals. Under the Climate Mobilization Act, the city aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Buildings currently account for about two-thirds of NYC’s emissions, making home energy use a key target for change.

That’s why more families are fully electrifying their homes. By pairing solar panels with heat pumps, induction stoves, and EV chargers, homeowners can cut both their electric and gas bills while making their properties more resilient. These upgrades improve indoor air quality too.

For most NYC homes, solar systems pay for themselves in five to seven years. After that, homeowners can see lifetime savings of $80,000 or more. With ConEd rates set to rise for the next three years, those savings could grow even larger.

Get your free consultation today and talk to Brooklyn SolarWorks before peak sunny season starts.

[Photos via Brooklyn SolarWorks]