Solar payback in New York
A 7.7 kW home solar system in New York pays for itself in about 10.5 years at 2026 prices, with no federal tax credit. That ranks #7 of 51 states, where 1 is the fastest.
- Installed price
- $3.90/W
- New York median, 2025
- Solar output
- 1,291 kWh
- per kW a year, New York City weather
- Electricity rate
- 29.9¢/kWh
- average home rate, EIA
- Value of a solar kWh
- 29.9¢
- full retail net metering
Pays back in year 11
- Cost up front
- $30,030
- Saved per year
- $2,871
- Ahead after 25 years
- $41,736
Payback by quoted price and roof direction
Find your installer's price per watt (total price divided by system watts) to read your payback in New York. Nationally, cash buyers paid a median of $3.00 per watt in 2025 and loan buyers $4.50, because loan fees are often built into the price. East and west roofs make 14% and 16% less power than south here.
| Price per watt | 7.7 kW costs | South roof | East roof | West roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2.50 | $19,250 | 6.7 years | 7.9 years | 8.0 years |
| $3.00 | $23,100 | 8.0 years | 9.4 years | 9.6 years |
| $3.90 (New York median) | $30,030 | 10.5 years | 12.3 years | 12.5 years |
| $4.00 | $30,800 | 10.7 years | 12.6 years | 12.8 years |
| $4.50 | $34,650 | 12.1 years | 14.2 years | 14.4 years |
System size barely changes payback here: a bigger system costs more and saves more in about the same proportion.
Questions about solar in New York
How does New York pay for solar power I send to the grid?
New York keeps full retail net metering (Phase One NEM) for home systems, but systems connected since 2022 pay a Customer Benefit Contribution of about $1.10 per kW a month, which credits can't cover. We take it off the savings. Source.
How much did the end of the federal tax credit change payback in New York?
With the 30% credit that ended in 2025, the same system would have paid back in about 7.3 years instead of 10.5. The credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Leased systems and power purchase agreements can still pass on a business credit, but then you do not own the panels.
Is 1,291 kWh per kW a lot?
The range across states runs from about 922 kWh in Alaska to about 1,779 in the Southwest. Sunshine matters less than people expect: the electricity rate and how your utility credits exports move payback more.
States near New York in the ranking
- Rhode Island 9.6 years
- Connecticut 10.2 years
- District of Columbia 10.5 years
- New Hampshire 11.1 years
- New Jersey 11.3 years
- Pennsylvania 12.2 years