The NY-Sun Megawatt Block program is NYSERDA's flagship residential solar incentive — it provides an upfront per-watt rebate that directly reduces what you pay at installation. Unlike the federal ITC (which you claim on taxes the following year), NY-Sun puts money on the table at signing.
How NY-Sun works:
- Incentive is paid per AC watt of solar installed
- Rate varies by utility territory (Con Ed, PSEG LI, National Grid, NYSEG, Central Hudson, O&R each have separate blocks)
- Incentive rate decreases as each block fills — earlier installers get better per-watt rates
- Your installer applies for the incentive on your behalf; it's deducted from your final contract price
- You still claim the full system cost (pre-incentive) for the federal and state tax credits
Check current block availability for your utility territory through NYSERDA.ny.gov. Some blocks fill quickly — particularly in Con Ed and PSEG Long Island territory.