InstaBidsAre there solar panels rebates in New York?
Yes. Solar panels rebates — New York principal-residence solar credit: “The credit is equal to 25% of your qualified solar energy system equipment expenditures and is limited to $5,000.” tax.ny.gov “The credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025.” irs.gov Prior federal rate: “30%” IRS, read October 17, 2026.
InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.
To compare written bids for a solar panel installation, you can describe your project on InstaBids.
- Describe it onceBy chat, or through your own AI assistant, and add photos.
- Post it and send itContractors bid in writing on that scope.
- Compare line by lineEvery quote is written against the same scope.
- You chooseContact details stay hidden until you pick and they confirm.
At a glance
- 25%New York credit rate; qualified expenditures and cap applytax.ny.gov, read November 6, 2026
- December 31, 2025Federal credit installation deadlineirs.gov, read October 17, 2026
- 5, 10, or 15 yearsNYSERDA loan repayment termsny.energyfinancesolutions.com, read November 6, 2026
For your AI assistant
MCP connector · REST API · plain HTMLHand any of these to your assistant and it can help you write this job's request; you send the request yourself. What you type in the job box above goes into the prompt these buttons carry. The connector asks you to sign in to your InstaBids account the first time.
- MCP connector URL
https://instabids.ai/api/agent/mcp - Agent API (OpenAPI)
https://instabids.ai/openapi.json - Start-request link
https://instabids.ai/intake?from=rebates-states--new-york--solar-panels&utm_source=us&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=rebates&page_type=rebates&job=solar+panel+installation&place=new+york - Prompt for any AI, with your job
- ChatGPTOpens with the prompt
- ClaudeOpens with the prompt
- GrokOpens with the prompt
- GeminiCopies the prompt, then opens
Every page is plain HTML. Steps for every assistant: add to your assistant.
Programs, amounts and status
| Solar Energy System Equipment Credit | “The credit is equal to 25% of your qualified solar energy system equipment expenditures and is limited to $5,000.” Status: open (source read 6 November 2026). “You are entitled to claim this credit if you:” Who it is for, in the agency's words: “You are entitled to claim this credit if you: purchased solar energy system equipment, entered into a written agreement for the lease of solar energy system equipment, or entered into a written agreement that spans at least ten years for the purchase of power generated by solar energy system equipment not owned by you. The solar energy system must use solar radiation to produce energy for heating, cooling, hot water, or electricity for residential use. The system must also be installed and used at your principal residence in New York State.” How to apply: tax.ny.govNew York State Department of Taxation and Finance, read 6 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Smart Energy Loan | “Loan Amounts: $1,500 - $25,000” Status: open (source read 6 November 2026). “Apply online - Applying online is the fastest way to receive a decision. Complete and submit the online credit application. If you apply using the online portal, you will be able to upload your additional documentation directly.” Pays for: “purchase and install solar at home”. Who it is for, in the agency's words: “Eligible Properties: You must own the home or be an authorized representative of the property owner” How to apply: ny.energyfinancesolutions.comNYSERDA through Energy Finance Solutions, read 6 November 2026 |
| On-Bill Recovery Loan | “Loan Amounts: $1,500 - $25,000” Status: open (source read 6 November 2026). Pays for: “purchase and install solar at home”. Who it is for, in the agency's words: “Eligible Properties: The home must be served by a participating utility, including: Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Con Edison, PSEG-Long Island, NYSEG, National Grid (Upstate NY customers only), Orange & Rockland, and Rochester Gas & Electric. You must own the home and be named on the utility account” How to apply: ny.energyfinancesolutions.comNYSERDA through Energy Finance Solutions, read 6 November 2026 |
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | “The Residential Clean Energy Credit equals 30% of the costs of new, qualified clean energy property for your home installed anytime from 2022 through December 31, 2025.” Status: ended (source read 17 October 2026). Pays for: “Solar electric panels”. Who it is for, in the agency's words: “You may claim the residential clean energy credit for improvements to your main home, whether you own or rent it. Your main home is generally where you live most of the time. The credit applies to new or existing homes located in the United States.” How to apply: irs.govInternal Revenue Service, read 17 October 2026 |
Federal tax credit status, in the IRS's words
“The credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025.” irs.gov
Who is eligible?
New York’s Solar Energy System Equipment Credit covers purchased equipment, written leases, and certain power purchase agreements. The solar system must serve residential heating, cooling, hot water, or electricity and be installed and used at the applicant’s principal residence in New York State. tax.ny.gov
Source: tax.ny.gov, read .
An InstaBids solar installation request can describe the home and the equipment bidders should include.
How much is the credit?
New York’s Solar Energy System Equipment Credit uses a qualified-expenditure rate and a dollar cap. tax.ny.gov “The credit is equal to 25% of your qualified solar energy system equipment expenditures and is limited to $5,000.” tax.ny.gov
Source: tax.ny.gov, read .
On InstaBids, you can ask solar installation bidders to list equipment and installation work separately.
What qualifies for financing?
NYSERDA’s Smart Energy and On-Bill Recovery loans can finance purchasing and installing solar at home through a NY-Sun participating contractor. Energy Finance Solutions lists repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years; both products are loans requiring repayment. ny.energyfinancesolutions.com
Source: ny.energyfinancesolutions.com, read .
For a financed solar installation, your InstaBids request can ask for a written equipment schedule.
How can I qualify?
NYSERDA’s solar loans require an application and underwriting review through Energy Finance Solutions. Smart Energy applicants must own the home or represent the owner. On-Bill Recovery applicants must own the home, be named on the utility account, and have service from a participating utility. Additional underwriting criteria apply. ny.energyfinancesolutions.com
Source: ny.energyfinancesolutions.com, read .
InstaBids can help you compare the installation scope described in written solar bids.
How to claim the credit?
The IRS directs applicants for the Residential Clean Energy Credit to Form 5695 with their tax return for the year of installation. The IRS states that the credit is unavailable for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. irs.gov
Source: irs.gov, read .
You can use InstaBids to describe new solar installation work and compare written bids.
Is New York’s solar credit refundable?
New York’s Solar Energy System Equipment Credit is not refundable. The state tax agency says any credit exceeding the tax due can be carried over for up to five years. The carryover rule does not make the credit a cash rebate. tax.ny.gov
Source: tax.ny.gov, read .
When comparing solar installation bids on InstaBids, you can ask for an itemized project description.
Can leased solar equipment qualify for New York’s credit?
New York’s Solar Energy System Equipment Credit includes written agreements to lease solar equipment among its eligibility routes. A power purchase agreement must span at least ten years, and the solar system must be installed and used at the applicant’s principal residence in New York State. tax.ny.gov
Source: tax.ny.gov, read .
A solar project posted on InstaBids can specify the installation work and equipment requested.
Before you apply
- NYSERDA loan application: gather income documents, such as tax returns or pay stubs.
- On-Bill Recovery Loan: gather a current electric utility bill.
- Home solar financing: use a NYSERDA NY-Sun participating contractor.
Find the IRS rule for your home improvement
| Question to review | Project record | Agency document | Sources read: | Official rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit end date | Timing of the home improvement | irs.gov | Read the IRS credit page | |
| Claim form and installation year | Return instructions | irs.gov | Read the IRS credit page |
Sources read:
- irs.gov: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit, read 17 October 2026.
- irs.gov: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i5695, read 21 October 2026.
- tax.ny.gov: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/credits/solar_energy_system_equipment_credit.htm, read 6 November 2026.
- ny.energyfinancesolutions.com: https://ny.energyfinancesolutions.com/for-homeowners/on-bill-recovery-loan/, read 6 November 2026.