Rochester, NY Solar Panels
Solar Power in Rochester
Rochester homeowners have felt it — electricity prices in New York have climbed 33% since 2020, making the case for solar panel installation harder to ignore. At 24.37 cents per kWh, New York’s rates are well above the national average.
If you’re exploring home solar panels, this guide covers what you need to know — from how solar installation works in Rochester to what local factors affect your costs and savings.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Rochester, NY?
Using real installation data from Rochester and surrounding communities — including Pittsford, Webster, Greece, and Henrietta — this calculator gives you an honest, localized estimate of what solar panels could cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Rochester electricity rates have risen 25% since 2021 — now at 24.4¢/kWh — making solar a smart way to lock in more predictable energy costs.
- New York offers strong solar incentives, including a 25% state tax credit (up to $5,000) and a 15-year property tax exemption that prevents your tax bill from rising after going solar.
- Rochester homeowners can save an average of ~$91,000 over 25 years — with lease options starting as low as $92/month and no upfront investment required.
Rochester Electricity Prices
Electricity in Rochester costs more than most of the country — and the gap keeps growing.
New York’s electricity rate rose from 19.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 24.4 cents in 2024 — an increase of about 25%. That’s significantly higher than the national average of 16.5 cents per kWh.
For Rochester homeowners served by RG&E, those rising rates add up fast. Home solar panels generate electricity from the sun, which can offset how much power you pull from the grid each month.
Because solar locks in a more predictable energy cost, it can provide long-term stability against future rate increases — something Rochester residents have had good reason to think about over the past few years.
Price of Energy: New York vs National Average
Rochester Area Utility Providers
Rochester’s primary utility provider, RG&E, reported an average electricity rate of 16.1¢ per kWh in 2023 — the most recent year for which data is available. Understanding this rate is a helpful starting point for Rochester homeowners.
Interestingly, RG&E’s 2023 rate of 16.1¢ per kWh sits just above the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh, yet well below New York State’s 2023 average of 22.20¢ per kWh — reflecting Rochester’s relatively moderate local utility costs.
Knowing your local electricity rate can help you better understand the long-term value of generating your own power at home. For many Rochester homeowners, comparing utility costs to solar is a natural first step in exploring their home solar panel options.
Rochester Utilities Electricity Rates
New York Solar Incentives
Rochester homeowners can access several solar incentives in New York that help reduce the upfront and long-term costs of going solar.
New York State offers a 25% income tax credit (up to $5,000), a 15-year property tax exemption under RPTL Section 487, the NYSERDA NY-Sun incentive program, and net metering through NYSEG — all applicable to Rochester homeowners.
Note that the federal residential solar tax credit was eliminated by recent federal legislation. State and local incentives remain available. Homeowners who lease solar through Palmetto’s LightReach program receive savings indirectly, as Palmetto applies the commercial tax credit and passes reductions through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York State Property Tax Exemption for Solar (RPTL Section 487) | Property Tax Exemption | New York’s Real Property Tax Law Section 487 exempts the added assessed value from a solar installation from property taxes for 15 years, preventing your tax bill from rising after going solar. | Learn More |
Under Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) Section 487, any increase in your home’s assessed value resulting from the installation of a solar energy system is fully exempt from property taxes for 15 years. This means that even if your solar installation adds $20,000–$30,000 in value to your home, your property tax bill will not increase during that 15-year period. The exemption also covers battery storage systems approved by NYSERDA. New York City has additionally confirmed it will not require a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for energy storage systems seeking benefits under RPTL 487.
As one of the five largest cities in New York State, Rochester is directly covered by this exemption — meaning the exemption applies automatically and does not require a local opt-in decision. Residents of Rochester can take full advantage of this benefit without needing to confirm local participation.
To claim the exemption, you must complete Form RP-487 (Application for Tax Exemption of Solar, Wind, or Certain Other Energy Systems) and submit it to your local assessor on or before the taxable status date (typically January 5 for most municipalities). One copy goes to NYSERDA and one to your local Department of Finance. An application filed by January 1, 2025, for example, would result in an exemption effective July 1, 2025. There is no cost to apply, and the savings over 15 years can be substantial.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with New York incentives.
Get a Free QuoteRochester Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Rochester gets snowy winters and cloudy days, but long summer days and cool temperatures actually boost solar efficiency. Like Seattle or Boston, Rochester can be a surprisingly strong solar city.
Solar Production in Rochester by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Rochester
We’ve mapped thousands of solar installations across the U.S. down to the address level. Explore the heatmap below to see how many of your Rochester neighbors have already made the switch to solar — from the South Wedge to Irondequoit and beyond!
Leasing Solar Panels
Rochester homeowners served by Rochester Gas & Electric (RGE) have access to a solar lease through Palmetto’s LightReach program. With a lease, Palmetto owns and maintains the solar system on your roof. You simply pay a fixed monthly amount — based on your system’s estimated production — and enjoy the energy savings without any upfront cost or ongoing maintenance responsibility.
This is different from paying cash for solar. When you buy outright, you cover the full system cost yourself, handle all maintenance, and are responsible for any repairs over time. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto takes care of all of that. There’s also a 90% Production Guarantee, so if your system underperforms, you’re protected. Want to understand the full comparison? Here’s a breakdown of buying vs. leasing solar.
For most Rochester homeowners, leasing is a straightforward way to start saving on electricity without a large investment. You get solar on your roof, a predictable monthly payment, and peace of mind — all backed by Palmetto’s ongoing support. If you’re curious whether a lease makes sense for your home and energy usage, it’s worth getting a personalized estimate to see the numbers for yourself.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense for many Rochester homeowners. New York’s electricity rates have risen 25% since 2021 — now at 24.4¢/kWh — and Rochester gets an average of 4.3 peak sun hours per day, enough to generate meaningful savings year-round. New York also offers a 25% state tax credit (up to $5,000) and a 15-year property tax exemption.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease removes that barrier entirely — Rochester homeowners can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with lease payments starting as low as $92/month.
Yes, Rochester homeowners have access to 1:1 net metering through Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E). Each month, the solar energy you export to the grid is netted against your total electricity consumption. Any unused credits roll over month to month and year to year for up to 20 years.
There is a monthly solar fee called the Contribution Benefits Charge (CBC) of $1.16/kW-DC per month. Credits do not expire as a check — they remain on your account and continue to offset future bills throughout the 20-year period.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home value in Rochester. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a typical Rochester home, that could translate to a meaningful boost in resale value.
New York’s 15-year property tax exemption (RPTL Section 487) means that added home value from solar won’t raise your property tax bill — making solar an even stronger long-term investment for Rochester homeowners.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Rochester homeowners can go solar for a low fixed monthly payment starting around $92/month — with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
For those interested in a cash purchase, system costs typically range from $15,841–$28,523 after New York’s 25% state tax credit (up to $5,000). Note that the federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Rochester homeowners, solar can make strong financial sense — especially with electricity rates now at 24.4¢/kWh, up 25% since 2021. A typical Rochester home can save an average of ~$91,000 over 25 years.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, there’s no upfront investment required. Your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning most Rochester homeowners start saving from day one — with payments starting as low as $92/month.
Palmetto Solar is a strong choice for Rochester homeowners. We’re a national company with a local install network, serving 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%. Rochester customers like Ne Thomas and Jim Martin have shared positive experiences with our installation process and ongoing savings.
We offer some of the most flexible financing in the industry, including our LightReach lease — no upfront cost, Palmetto handles all maintenance, and payments start as low as $92/month. For cash buyers, we provide transparent pricing with access to New York’s 25% state tax credit.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Rochester homeowners pay one simple monthly payment that covers everything — the solar system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. For a typical 8.50 kW system in Rochester, the estimated monthly lease payment is approximately $92/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — a key advantage over cash purchases. Most Rochester homeowners start saving from day one, since the lease payment is typically less than their current electricity bill.