Already have a solar quote?
Get a free second opinion on the price, equipment, and contract before you sign.
The Short Answer
Yes, for most Con Edison homeowners. The 30% federal tax credit for homeowner-owned solar ended on December 31, 2025, but Westchester still has some of the highest electricity rates in the country (about $0.33 to $0.38 per kWh on Con Edison), a 25% New York State tax credit, and strong net metering. Most Con Edison homeowners who buy their system now see payback in roughly 7 to 9 years on panels built to last 25 to 30 years. NYSEG customers pay less per kWh, so payback runs longer.
2026 solar calculator
Is solar still worth it for your home?
Four questions. Built for Westchester, with no federal credit and the NY 25% credit included.
What Does Solar Cost in Westchester in 2026?
Installed solar in Westchester runs about $3.00 to $4.00 per watt before incentives, depending on equipment and roof complexity. Most homes install 7 to 12 kW.
6 kW system: $18,000 to $24,000 gross, about $13,000 to $19,000 after the NY credit
8 kW system: $24,000 to $32,000 gross, about $19,000 to $27,000 after the NY credit
10 kW system: $30,000 to $40,000 gross, about $25,000 to $35,000 after the NY credit
Westchester runs above the national average of roughly $2.75 per watt because of NY metro labor costs, stricter permitting in some towns, and older homes that often need electrical work. The flip side is that Westchester homeowners pay roughly double the national average per kWh, so each panel saves more.
What Drives the Price of a Solar System
System size is the biggest factor, and it should be set by your actual Con Edison or NYSEG usage, not padded to raise the price. Panel choice matters: premium panels like REC Alpha Pure or Maxeon cost more per watt but carry better efficiency and warranties. Inverters range from string inverters ($1,000 to $2,000) to microinverters ($1,500 to $3,000) and power optimizers ($1,200 to $2,500). Roof complexity (multiple planes, steep pitch, dormers) adds labor. Older homes may need a $1,500 to $3,000 electrical panel upgrade, and permitting runs about $500 to $1,500 depending on the town.
Without the Federal Credit: The Before and After Math
For a typical 8 kW system in Scarsdale at $30,000:
2025, with the federal credit: $30,000 minus $9,000 federal minus $5,000 NY State = $16,000 net, roughly a 5.7-year payback at $2,800 a year in savings.
2026, without it: $30,000 minus $5,000 NY State = $25,000 net, roughly an 8.9-year payback.
Payback is longer, but the system still pays for itself well inside its 25-year warranty and then produces 15 or more years of nearly free electricity. New York State incentives were always doing much of the heavy lifting in Westchester. The federal credit was the bonus.
The Savings Math
A Westchester homeowner paying $300 a month to Con Edison ($3,600 a year) can typically offset 80 to 90 percent of that with solar. At $3,000 a year in savings and an after-incentive cost of $22,000, payback is roughly 7.3 years. After that, the savings keep coming for the rest of the system's life. Over 25 years, total savings typically exceed $50,000, and that is before counting future rate increases.
What Incentives Are Still Available in 2026
NY State 25% solar tax credit: up to $5,000, applied to the full installation cost. You need NY State tax liability to use it, and unused credit carries forward up to 5 years.
NYSERDA battery rebate: $250 per kWh in Con Edison territory.
15-year property tax exemption (RPTL Section 487): the added home value from solar is not taxed.
Sales tax exemption on solar equipment.
Net metering and VDER credits for the extra power your system sends to the grid.
For the full breakdown, see which NY solar incentives are still left in 2026.
Buy, Lease, or PPA?
The numbers above are for buying your system. With a lease or PPA, the installer owns the system, and third-party owners can still use the commercial federal credit (Section 48E) through December 31, 2027, as long as construction began by July 4, 2026. That can make lease and PPA pricing look attractive, but you do not own the system, and most of the long-term savings go to the owner, not you. See solar lease vs buy vs PPA in 2026 for a side-by-side comparison.
What About Battery Storage?
Battery storage adds $10,000 to $15,000 per unit but unlocks TOU Rate III savings. A battery charges during cheap off-peak hours (about $0.05 per kWh) and discharges during expensive peak hours (8 AM to midnight on weekdays). That shift can add $800 to $1,200 a year in savings, and it keeps your lights on during outages. NYSERDA's $250 per kWh rebate in Con Edison territory takes about $3,375 off a standard 13.5 kWh battery.
How to Tell If a Solar Quote Is Fair
Compare cost per watt across quotes with similar equipment. Check that the year-one production estimate is modeled for your specific roof. Make sure the net cost uses 2026 numbers: if a quote for a purchased system still counts a 30% federal credit, it is wrong. Look for a 25-year panel warranty, a 12 to 25 year inverter warranty, and at least 10 years on workmanship. If you are financing, run the full cost: a 20-year loan at 6% on $25,000 costs about $43,000 in total. Before signing, read the solar contract red flags, or get a free second opinion on your quote.
Why Waiting Usually Costs More
Con Edison rates have climbed an average of 4 to 6 percent a year over the past decade. Every year you wait, you pay those higher rates on all of your electricity. Standard-income NYSERDA solar incentives in Con Edison territory already closed in March 2026, and equipment prices move with tariffs and supply chains. The federal credit is gone, but the core math (high rates, strong state incentives, and rising utility costs) still works in Westchester.
Who Should NOT Go Solar?
Solar may not make sense if your roof is heavily shaded, faces mostly north, or needs replacing within 5 years (replace it first, or bundle the two). Homeowners with very low electric bills (under $100 a month) may find the payback too long. Renters and condo owners usually cannot install rooftop solar, though community solar is an option.
Next Step: Get Your Numbers
Every home is different. The best way to know your exact savings is to upload your Con Edison or NYSEG bill for a free, personalized analysis. It calculates your payback period, the right system size, and your total savings based on your actual usage.
Want to see your exact rates?
Upload your bill and we'll show you what you're paying per kWh, peak vs off-peak.