Incentives and financing

Going solar with little or nothing upfront.

Loans, leases and power purchase agreements can all start at $0 for qualified homeowners. Eric lays out each option and every incentive you qualify for in plain numbers.

PlugPV yard sign reading "We went solar and are thrilled" with Eric's phone number

Ways to pay

Pick the option that fits.

Each one changes who owns the system, who keeps the incentives and what you pay each month.

  • Solar loan

    You own the system and keep the incentives. When the loan is paid off, the power is yours with no payment. Often the best long-term return.

  • Lease

    A third party owns the panels on your roof. You pay a fixed monthly amount, with little or nothing upfront and maintenance included.

  • Power purchase agreement

    You pay only for the power the panels make, at a set rate that is typically below your utility’s. No upfront cost and no maintenance.

  • Cash purchase

    The lowest total cost and the fastest payback, with every incentive going straight to you.

Two-story home with rooftop solar and a PlugPV yard sign on the lawn

New York incentives

What New York offers in 2026.

New York still has some of the strongest solar incentives in the country. For a system at your main home:

  • State tax credit: 25% of your equipment cost, up to $5,000. Unused credit carries forward for up to five years.
  • NY-Sun incentive: a NYSERDA incentive, applied by the installer, that lowers your upfront price.
  • Sales tax exemption: no state sales tax on residential solar equipment and installation.
  • Property tax exemption: 15 years on the value solar adds, in towns that participate.
  • Net metering credits: extra power you send to the grid is credited on your utility bill.

About the federal credit: the federal tax credit for homeowner-owned solar ended for systems finished after December 31, 2025. Leases and power purchase agreements can still pass federal business credits through to you as a lower price. Incentives change, so confirm the tax side with your tax professional.

Black solar panels on a farmhouse roof lit by evening sun

One honest conversation.

Understanding what solar costs, and what it saves, starts with your own numbers. Bring a year of electric bills, and Eric will compare your options side by side with every incentive applied.

There's no obligation and no pressure. If solar doesn't make sense for your home, he'll tell you.

FAQ

Financing and incentive questions.

Straight answers. If yours isn’t here, call or text Eric.

Is there still a federal solar tax credit?

The federal tax credit for homeowner-owned solar ended for systems finished after December 31, 2025. New York still offers a state income tax credit of 25% of your equipment cost, up to $5,000, plus NY-Sun incentives, a sales-tax exemption and, in most towns, a property-tax exemption. Leases and power purchase agreements can still pass federal business credits through to you as a lower rate. Eric will show you exactly what applies to your home; check the tax side with your tax professional.

Can I really go solar with $0 upfront?

Yes, for qualified homeowners. Solar loans, leases and power purchase agreements can all start with no money down. Each works differently, so Eric walks you through what you would pay over time with each option.

Loan, lease or power purchase agreement: which is best?

A loan or cash purchase means you own the system and keep its incentives, which usually gives the best long-term return. A lease or power purchase agreement means a third party owns it, so you pay a set monthly amount or rate, with little or nothing upfront and maintenance included.

How does the New York solar tax credit work?

New York gives a state income tax credit of 25% of your qualifying equipment cost, up to $5,000, for a system at your main home. If the credit is more than you owe in one year, the rest carries forward for up to five years.

What should I bring to a financing consultation?

A year of electric bills is the most helpful thing. If you are thinking about a loan, a rough idea of your budget and credit helps Eric compare options with you.

Free consultation

See your numbers, with incentives applied.

Tell Eric a little about your home. He’ll reach out to set up a free consultation, with no pressure and no obligation.

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