New York Solar in 2026: VDER, NY-SUN & Whether It Still Pays

New York is one of the more confusing solar states because it does not use simple net metering like Florida. Instead, New York runs the **VDER value stack** — a compensation model that, once you understand it, can make solar pay off nicely. Here is the 2026 picture.

## VDER: New York's "value stack"

Instead of crediting your exported solar at a flat retail rate, New York's **Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER)** credits it based on several components — energy value, capacity, environmental value, and more. The practical takeaway for a homeowner: your solar production is compensated, but the *how* is more nuanced than 1-to-1 net metering, and a good advisor models it against your specific utility (Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, etc.).

## NY-SUN brings the upfront cost down

New York's **NY-SUN** program provides state-funded incentives that reduce the cost of going solar. These are separate from federal tax policy and remain a real lever in 2026 — one of the reasons New York stays a strong solar market even after the federal change below.

## What changed federally in 2026

The **30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.** New York homeowners buying with cash or a loan in 2026 no longer get the 30% personal credit. But New York is better cushioned than most states because **NY-SUN + VDER value remain** — and the universal workaround applies here too: a **$0-down lease or PPA**, where the provider captures the commercial credit and passes it back as a lower locked rate.

## High rates make the case

Con Edison and National Grid rates are among the highest in the country, and they keep climbing. Every kilowatt-hour you generate yourself is one you do not buy at those rates. Pair that with strong battery incentives for resilience, and the New York case holds up well in 2026.

## Is solar worth it in New York in 2026?

For most New York homeowners with a **$150+ monthly bill**, a workable roof, and plans to stay: **yes.** The stack of NY-SUN incentives, VDER compensation, brutal utility rates, and battery value makes it work — and a $0-down lease lets you capture it without fronting cash or relying on the expired federal credit.

## See your New York numbers

VDER and NY-SUN make New York worth modeling carefully. [Get a free Solarfying quote](/get-quote) or [explore solar in New York](/states/new-york) and we will run your actual utility, VDER value, and $0-down options — no expired tax credit in the math.

## Related reading - [Is solar still worth it in 2026 without the tax credit?](/blog/is-solar-worth-it-2026-without-tax-credit) - [How much does solar cost in 2026?](/blog/how-much-does-solar-cost-2026) - [Do you really need a solar battery in 2026?](/blog/do-you-need-a-solar-battery-2026)