A chance for the state to make rooftop solar more affordable
New York is a national cleanenergy leader. But if you look at rooftop solar adoption upstate, you wouldn’t know it. In fact, more than twice as many upstate homes and businesses installed rooftop solar in 2015 than in 2023.
Solar technology has only improved, so what caused the decline? The answer is simple: policy choices at the state level.
New York has invested heavily in the buildout of large-scale solar and wind while underinvesting in rooftop solar for homes and businesses. It’s true that New York needs both to cost effectively reach our cleanenergy goals, but rooftop solar is low-hanging fruit.
Legislation (S3596C/A6739B) under consideration this session would make rooftop solar more affordable for homeowners across the state. This measure will strengthen New York’s residential solar tax credit by raising the per-household cap for the first time in 18 years. It would also make the credit refundable for low-income families and seniors. This policy will empower more families to generate their own solar power, lowering their taxes and energy bills while protecting the environment.
What’s more, we estimate that this policy will support an additional 625 full-time jobs in the solar industry, and every dollar invested will provide $10 of in-state economic benefit.
The Inflation Reduction Act created a once-in-a-generation opportunity to leverage federal support for New York’s cleanenergy transition. But we need strong state-level policies to make the most of this opportunity.
The state Senate included this policy in their budget proposal because they know a good investment when they see it. New York’s solar industry and a coalition of two dozen environmental and affordable housing groups are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul and Legislature to include this important proposal in the final budget.
We need bold action in Albany to maintain New York’s clean-energy leadership. Let’s get it done and end upstate New York’s partial rooftop solar eclipse.