The New York City Solar ‘Premium’
It is more expensive to install a solar system in New York City than it is virtually anywhere else in the region. In fact, in 2006, the cost of installing a solar system in New Jersey was roughly 30% less expensive than it was in New York City. Just to East in Long Island, the difference was even greater.
Several factors explain the New York City solar premium. These include higher labor costs, extra fees associated with permitting and interconnection, and the vertical character of our building stock, which can necessitate additional wiring and special installation equipment, such as cranes.
However, a large share of the disparity owes to the fact that New Jersey (16 x) and Long Island (10x) have invested more resources in their solar incentive programs compared to New York State in recent years. This has lead to an increase in the number of experienced solar installation firms operating in these other areas. The resulting increase in competition has, in turn, driven market prices for solar down.
- To view a brief audio-narrated PowerPoint presentation about the New York City solar premium and the basic fasts of the proposed property tax abatement, click here.
