New York has the second-largest community solar market in the United States — but most New Yorkers have never heard of it.
If you pay a Con Edison, National Grid, PSEG Long Island, or other utility bill in New York, you're likely eligible to reduce that bill by 10–20% through community solar. No rooftop panels. No installation. No landlord permission required.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how New York's community solar program works, which utilities participate, what savings look like in real dollars, and how to join in 2026.
New York's Community Solar Landscape in 2026
New York's community solar program operates under the state's Community Distributed Generation (CDG) framework, regulated by the New York Public Service Commission and administered in partnership with NYSERDA. Energy generated by participating solar farms flows into the utility grid, and subscribers receive credits on their monthly utility bills proportional to their share.
The compensation mechanism is called VDER — Value of Distributed Energy Resources, sometimes called the "Value Stack." Unlike simple net metering, VDER calculates credit value based on when and where the solar energy is generated, taking into account wholesale electricity prices, capacity benefits, and local grid conditions. In practice, Con Edison customers in New York City and Westchester tend to see higher credit rates due to grid congestion and peak demand costs in the metro area.
Key program facts for 2026:
- Available utilities: Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas), Central Hudson, Orange & Rockland, and RG&E (Rochester Gas & Electric)
- PSEG Long Island: Operates a separate community solar program for Long Island customers
- No upfront cost: Subscribers pay nothing to enroll — savings come as monthly bill credits
- Renters eligible: Any customer with an active utility account in their name can participate
- Rate environment: New York electricity rates have been rising steadily. Con Edison residential rates are now above $0.20/kWh in many rate classes — among the highest in the Northeast
The program is not experimental. New York has been running community solar under the CDG framework since 2012, and capacity has expanded significantly through NYSERDA's NY-Sun Initiative.
Who Is Eligible for New York Community Solar?
New York rates are high. Community solar cuts your bill by 10–20%.
Con Edison, National Grid, and PSEG Long Island customers — get your free savings estimate.
Eligibility is broad by design. You qualify if you meet all of the following:
- You have an active account with a participating utility — Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, Central Hudson, Orange & Rockland, RG&E, or PSEG Long Island
- The account is in your name — bill credits are applied to the account holder's bill
- You're a residential or small business customer — both qualify for community solar programs
There is no income requirement, no credit check, and no roof required. Renters, condo owners, apartment dwellers, and homeowners without suitable roofs all qualify under exactly the same terms.
One exception: utility-included rent
If your electricity is bundled into your rent and your landlord holds the utility account, you don't have an account in your name to apply credits to. Community solar requires your own direct utility account. If you're signing a new lease, this is worth clarifying in advance.
How New York Community Solar Works
The mechanics are straightforward once you understand the virtual metering concept:
- A solar farm is built and connected to the New York grid. The farm might be located in upstate New York, Long Island, or suburban areas — wherever land and grid interconnection are available.
- You subscribe to a share of that farm's output. Your share is sized to roughly match your monthly electricity usage. You don't want to oversubscribe — credits only apply up to your actual bill.
- Each month, the farm generates electricity. Your utility (Con Edison, National Grid, etc.) tracks how much output came from your subscribed share.
- The utility applies a credit to your bill. The credit appears as a line item — something like "Community Solar Credit" — and reduces your supply charges for that month.
- You pay the reduced balance. Your electricity delivery, reliability, and grid connection are completely unchanged. You're still a standard utility customer.
The credit rate is determined by the VDER value stack — a formula set by the Public Service Commission that varies by utility territory and changes over time. Residential subscribers typically save 10–20% on their supply charges, which translates to roughly 6–12% on total bill depending on how large supply is relative to your total charges.
Savings by Utility Territory
What this looks like in actual dollars depends on your utility and usage. Some examples based on current rate levels:
Con Edison Customers (NYC, Westchester, Rockland County)
Con Edison territory has the highest electricity rates in New York and among the highest in the country. Residential supply rates are currently above $0.20/kWh for many customers, and the grid congestion in New York City drives up VDER credit rates as well.
- $150/month total bill: ~$15–$30/month in community solar credits
- $200/month total bill: ~$20–$40/month in credits
- $280/month total bill (larger apartment or home): ~$28–$56/month in credits
Annual savings for a typical Con Edison residential customer: $180–$480/year.
National Grid Customers (Upstate New York, Western/Central NY)
National Grid serves Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, and large parts of upstate New York. Rates are somewhat lower than Con Edison territory, but have been rising consistently. Community solar credits are still meaningful for upstate customers.
- $100/month total bill: ~$10–$20/month in credits
- $160/month total bill: ~$16–$32/month in credits
Annual savings for a typical National Grid residential customer: $120–$360/year.
PSEG Long Island Customers
Long Island has its own community solar program structure under PSEG Long Island. LIPA (Long Island Power Authority) territory customers access credits through a similar CDG framework. Long Island electricity rates are among the highest in the state, making savings potential significant.
- $180/month total bill: ~$18–$36/month in credits
These are supply charge reductions. Delivery, transmission, and fixed fees are set by state regulators and are not affected by community solar. Supply charges typically make up 40–55% of a residential electricity bill in New York.
Use the savings calculator to get a personalized estimate based on your ZIP code and usage.
How to Join New York Community Solar
The enrollment process takes 10–15 minutes and requires no upfront payment. Here's what to expect:
- Confirm your utility. Your utility is listed on your monthly bill. Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, Central Hudson, PSEG Long Island, Orange & Rockland, and RG&E all participate in CDG community solar.
- Gather your account information. You'll need your utility account number (on your bill) and your service address. Some programs also ask for your average monthly usage — a recent bill works.
- Choose a program and share size. Program developers match you to a share sized to your usage. The goal is to subscribe to roughly 80–100% of your average monthly consumption. Excess generation doesn't earn additional credits.
- Sign the subscription agreement. This is a simple document — not a mortgage. It outlines your credit rate, term length (typically 20 years, matching the solar farm's life), and cancellation terms. Read the cancellation policy carefully.
- Wait for activation. Activation typically takes 4–12 weeks after enrollment, depending on the program and utility territory. Your bill is unchanged during this period. That's normal.
- Credits begin appearing on your bill. Once active, the community solar credit appears automatically each month. No ongoing action is needed.
Start your enrollment here — 10 minutes, no cost, no installation.
Community Solar vs. Rooftop Solar in New York
New York offers significant rooftop solar incentives — the NY-Sun rebate, a 25% state tax credit up to $5,000, and strong net metering. But rooftop solar isn't available or practical for most New Yorkers:
| Factor | Community Solar | Rooftop Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 | $18,000–$35,000 after incentives |
| Roof ownership required | No | Yes |
| Renters eligible | Yes | No |
| Apartment dwellers | Yes | No (no suitable roof) |
| Savings timeline | 4–12 weeks after enrollment | 6–18 months (install + net metering setup) |
| If you move | Subscription follows your account | Panels stay on the property |
| Typical savings | 10–20% on supply charges | 50–90% on total bill (when sized correctly) |
For the roughly 65% of New Yorkers who rent or live in apartments, community solar is the only solar option. For homeowners with suitable roofs, rooftop solar can provide deeper savings over time — but requires significant upfront capital and a roof in good condition.
See the full breakdown in our Community Solar vs. Rooftop Solar comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does community solar work in New York City?
A: Yes. Con Edison customers in all five boroughs and Westchester County can subscribe to community solar. The CDG program was specifically designed to give urban and apartment-dwelling customers access to solar savings they couldn't get through rooftop installation. The solar farm is built elsewhere in New York State — you receive the credits on your Con Edison bill.
Q: What is the VDER rate and how does it affect my savings?
A: VDER (Value of Distributed Energy Resources) is New York's compensation framework for distributed solar. Instead of crediting you at the flat retail electricity rate, VDER calculates a value based on when and where the solar energy is generated — factoring in wholesale prices, capacity benefits, and local grid conditions. In practice, most community solar subscribers receive credits equivalent to 10–20% below what they'd otherwise pay for supply. Con Edison territory rates are higher due to the value of peak-hour solar in the congested NYC grid.
Q: Can I enroll if I'm a renter in a New York apartment?
A: Yes, as long as the utility account is in your name. Community solar credits are applied to your utility account — not your property. If you have an active Con Edison or National Grid account in your name, you qualify. No landlord permission is needed. The one exception: if your electricity is included in rent and the account is in your landlord's name, you don't have an account to apply credits to.
Q: What happens to my subscription if I move within New York?
A: If you stay within the same utility territory (e.g., within Con Edison territory, or within National Grid territory), your subscription can typically transfer to your new address. If you move to a different utility territory or out of New York entirely, you'll need to cancel. Check your program's specific cancellation terms — most have a notice period of 30–90 days with no penalty fees after the first year.
Q: How long does it take to see savings on my bill?
A: Most programs activate within 4–12 weeks of enrollment. The range depends on your utility territory and how quickly the program processes new subscribers. During the activation window, your bill is unchanged — that's normal. Once active, credits appear automatically every month.
Q: Is there a contract or long-term commitment?
A: Community solar subscriptions are typically structured as long-term agreements (often 20 years, matching the solar farm's operational life) but with consumer-friendly terms. Most programs allow cancellation with 30–90 days' notice. Read the specific cancellation terms in your subscription agreement before signing — look for what happens in year one versus subsequent years, and whether there are early termination fees.
Q: Does community solar affect my electricity delivery or reliability?
A: No. Community solar credits are billing adjustments — they don't change your physical electricity supply or your relationship with your utility. You remain a standard Con Edison, National Grid, or PSEG Long Island customer with the same grid reliability. If the solar farm has an outage, your electricity delivery is completely unaffected.
Ready to Start Saving on Your New York Electric Bill?
Community solar is available to Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, Central Hudson, PSEG Long Island, and other New York utility customers right now. Enrollment takes 10–15 minutes. There's no installation, no upfront cost, and no roof required.
If you have questions about New York community solar programs, your utility territory, or how credits work — email us. We respond within one business day.
Related Reading
- What Is Community Solar? How It Works (Plain-English Guide)
- Community Solar vs. Rooftop Solar: Which Saves More?
- Community Solar Savings Calculator
StarShine LLC helps New York homeowners, renters, and businesses access community solar savings through Con Edison, National Grid, PSEG Long Island, and other utility programs. Questions? Reach us at sunfunnel@polsia.app.