New York’s Solar for All program can help you save on your electric bills

New York’s new solar program aims to spur the development of more solar projects while saving low-income households money on their electricity bills.

The state Public Service Commission (PSC) this month approved the Statewide Solar for All program, which combines a state utility-managed Energy Affordability Program (EAP) and a market-based community solar program and is intended to “effectively deliver clean energy savings for low-income households,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“We are ensuring that more New Yorkers than ever before have access to clean solar energy so that we can build a healthy future,” Hochul said in a written statement Thursday. “The Statewide Solar for All program will generate significant benefits for our health, our environment, our economy and for thousands of New Yorkers who will see lower electricity bills.”

Here’s what you need to know about the program and how you can save.

How the program will work

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new statewide Solar for All program that will help effectively deliver clean energy savings to low-income households.

EAP customers living in disadvantaged communities will receive electricity bill relief, i.e. savings on their electricity bill. The amount will be based on the number of solar projects covered by the program in each utility territory, said James Denn, public information officer for the Department of the Public Service.

Bill credits are generated as solar projects inject new energy into the grid – and will increase as more renewable energy projects come online.

Investor-owned utilities currently serving EAP electric customers – RG&E, NYSEG, Central Hudson, Con Edison, National Fuel, National Grid and Orange & Rockland Utilities – will administer the Statewide Solar for All program.

Denn said Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), which is based in New Jersey but has a subsidiary for Long Island residents, is not a jurisdictional entity but is expected to participate in the program.

The program’s goal is to ultimately provide at least $40 in annual bill credits to more than 800,000 households once the program reaches full maturity, which is expected to occur by 2032.

“The Statewide Solar for All program approved (Thursday) will lower solar installation costs, increase operational efficiency and ensure equitable access to public solar energy,” said PSC Chairman Rory M. Christian.

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When will I start receiving loans?

Not for a while.

Utilities are not required to begin distributing the credits to their customers before December 2025, which means the credits will not appear on bills until January 2026.

However, after that, credits will be made available every month.

Do I qualify?

Probably.

If you currently qualify for the state’s EAP program and live in a disadvantaged community, you will be automatically enrolled in the Statewide Solar for All program.

You don’t need to apply because you will be registered automatically.

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State’s Problems with Community Solar Deployment

It hasn’t been easy for those enrolled in state solar programs.

While the Community Distributed Generation (CDG or Community Solar) program has been touted in recent years as a way to make it easier for low- and moderate-income residents to purchase clean energy, frustrated customers have complained about billing issues ranging from overcharges on bills that come with several months’ delay.

According to Denn, the state recently submitted a proposal to address these billing issues, on which comments were received and a recommendation is expected to be presented to the PSC later this year.

For most projects, utilities have fully automated billing, which is expected to “significantly reduce CDG billing errors compared to the manual process initially used,” Denn said.

The PSC also improved the community solar program by requiring the state’s investor-owned utilities to offer subscribers up to three different savings rates based on the cost of supplying electricity to a solar project. The requirement will come into force within a year.

Emily Barnes is a consumer advocate reporter on the New York State Team for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at [email protected] or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.