Does National Grid offer net metering in Buffalo?

Yes — National Grid credits the solar you export to the grid in Buffalo under New York's modified net metering, valued at ~70–90% of retail. That credit is what lets a well-sized system zero out most of your annual bill.

Is solar worth it in Buffalo?

At 4 peak sun hours, a 10 kW system in Buffalo produces about 11,680 kWh a year. With $0 federal credit, this model puts payback near 13.6 years and about $29,746 over 25 years after a $26,000 net cost, including New York's state incentive. It is a model, not a quote.

::BUFFALO_INCENTIVES // 2026

BuffaloSolar Incentives 2026: Rebates, Tax Credits & Net Metering

Q: How much do solar panels cost in Buffalo?

The 10 kW system that fits a typical Buffalo home (about a $135/month bill) costs around $31,000 before incentives. With $0 federal credit and the 25% New York credit, the net cost in this model is roughly $26,000. Use the calculator on this page with your actual National Grid bill.

Updated October 2026 · National Grid · New York

Buffalo homeowners installing in 2026 cannot claim the federal residential credit. What remains is the 25% New York state credit and National Grid net metering. At 4 peak sun hours a day, a home with a $135/month bill (about 964 kWh) needs roughly a 10 kW system — 25 panels — and pays back in about 13.6 years.

Federal residential credit

NY State Credit

25%

Local Utility

National Grid

Net Metering

Active

Est. System Size

10 kW

Annual Production

11.7k kWh

Net cost ($0 federal)

$26,000

Est. Payback

13.6 yrs

::BUFFALO_CALCULATOR

::INPUT_PARAMETERS

Monthly Electric Bill (USD)

State

Roof (sq ft, optional)

Solar Incentives Available in Buffalo

The federal residential credit does not apply to a Buffalo system installed in 2026. New York still lists a 25% state income tax credit (up to $5,000). National Grid sets the local rules for crediting the solar power you export.

Even with Buffalo's lower sun hours, New York's 25% state tax credit and net metering keep solar payback reasonable.

How Much Solar Buffalo Homes Produce

Buffalo gets 4 peak sun hours a day, so each 1 kW of panels produces about 1,168 kWh per year here. A 10 kW system — the size that fits a typical $135/month National Grid bill — generates roughly 11,680 kWh annually, worth about $1,635 in avoided electricity in year one and more as rates rise.

National Grid Net Metering in Buffalo

National Grid credits excess solar generation from Buffalo homes under New York's modified net metering (~70–90% of retail). A right-sized system can bring net annual electricity costs close to zero. See full New York net metering rules →

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Buffalo?

At New York's 2026 average of $3.10/watt, the 10 kW system most Buffalo homes need runs about $31,000 before incentives. The federal residential credit is $0. The New York state credit in this model is $5,000. Net cost in this model is about $26,000, with payback around 13.6 years. Those figures use $0 federal credit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Buffalo homeowners installing in 2026 cannot claim the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit. This dataset still lists a 25% New York state tax credit (up to $5,000). National Grid offers net metering. Even with Buffalo's lower sun hours, New York's 25% state tax credit and net metering keep solar payback reasonable.