NY Sun Residential Nonresidential Incentive Grant Program

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority administers the NY Sun Residential Nonresidential Incentive Program under Program Opportunity Notice 2112 to support the expansion of solar photovoltaic systems across New York State. NYSERDA is a state agency responsible for advancing clean energy solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and this program is a central component of the state’s broader clean energy goals, including achieving significant installed solar capacity by 2030. Funding for the program is derived from the Clean Energy Fund and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, with additional allocations authorized through subsequent state orders to expand solar deployment targets. The purpose of the program is to provide financial incentives to support the installation of new grid connected solar photovoltaic systems at residential and nonresidential sites. Incentives are structured to reduce upfront costs and accelerate adoption of solar energy technologies. Residential systems are eligible if they are 25 kilowatts or less, while nonresidential systems have higher thresholds depending on the region, including up to 750 kilowatts in certain areas and up to 7.5 megawatts in others. The program also supports specific project types such as affordable housing installations, community distributed generation projects, and installations serving disadvantaged communities, with additional incentive adders available for qualifying projects. Funds are not provided directly to end users but instead are paid to approved contractors who must apply the incentive to reduce the total system cost for customers. Contractors and builders must meet defined technical qualifications and participate formally in the program. They are responsible for submitting project applications and ensuring compliance with all program requirements. Eligible expenditures are tied strictly to new solar photovoltaic equipment and installations, and systems must not be installed prior to application submission. Incentive amounts are determined through a megawatt block structure that adjusts rates over time based on market conditions and capacity targets. Eligibility for participation is primarily limited to approved contractors and builders who install systems for residential and nonresidential customers. Contractors must demonstrate technical competence through recognized certification pathways and must maintain qualified personnel. Additional eligibility considerations apply to project types, system sizing, and customer categories, including low to moderate income households and affordable housing developments. Certain requirements such as energy efficiency assessments for residential projects and benchmarking opportunities for nonresidential projects must be completed or offered as part of the application process. Applications are submitted online through the NYSERDA portal. Contractors must first apply and be approved to participate in the program before submitting individual project applications. Each project application must be complete, signed, and submitted through the designated system. Incomplete or late submissions are not accepted, and all applications are reviewed for compliance with program requirements, including technical specifications and documentation. Incentives are awarded on a first come first served basis, and applications are processed until funding is exhausted or the program end date is reached. The program operates on a continuous application basis, with submissions accepted through December 31 2030 or until all funds are committed. There is no fixed application cycle or recurring deadline structure due to the rolling nature of the program. Applicants are encouraged to submit as early as possible to secure funding availability. Notifications of application approval are provided through the program portal, and contractors are responsible for project execution following approval. Questions regarding contractual matters and technical requirements are directed to designated NYSERDA contacts via phone or email, ensuring applicants have access to support throughout the process.

Submit early due to first come first served funding ensure complete applications to avoid rejection