Solar for National Grid (Upstate New York) Customers: Net Metering and Export Credits
How your utility credits the solar power you send back to the grid has a big effect on what solar is worth to you. Here's what official sources say for National Grid (Upstate New York) customers. Rules change, so confirm current terms with the utility before you sign.
About National Grid (Upstate New York)
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's Form EIA-861 data for 2024 lists 1,532,294 residential customers for Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. (New York), ranking #18 among U.S. utilities in our tally of bundled plus delivery-only residential customers. Source: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
How National Grid (Upstate New York) credits home solar
- National Grid's (Niagara Mohawk) Customer Benefit Contribution statement, effective January 1, 2026, lists a monthly CBC of $0.97 per kW-DC for residential (SC1) solar PV under Phase One NEM, and $0.49 per kW-DC under Value Stack. Source: https://www.nationalgridus.com/media/pdfs/billing-payments/electric-rates/upstate-ny/2026/stat_nmpc_cbc_7.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
A note on the federal tax credit
The federal residential clean energy credit (25D) doesn't apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is completed. Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb (accessed 2026-10-20). This page isn't tax advice.
What this means for your quote
Savings depend on how much of your solar you use on site versus export, your rate plan, and your system size. We can't give a typical savings figure; it varies, and your quote should show the assumptions behind any estimate.
Questions for your installer
- Does your estimate include the monthly CBC for my system size?
- Phase One NEM or Value Stack: which does your estimate assume?
- Will you handle the National Grid (Upstate New York) interconnection application?
Sources
- https://www.nationalgridus.com/media/pdfs/billing-payments/electric-rates/upstate-ny/2026/stat_nmpc_cbc_7.pdf (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (2024 data) — https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/ (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
- IRS, "FAQs for modification of sections 25C, 25D, 25E, 30C, 30D, 45L, 45W, and 179D under Public Law 119-21 (OBBB)" — https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
SolarMatchup is a free service: you submit one request and we match you with one installer. Their proposal is an estimate, not a guarantee — use this guide to read it carefully and ask questions before you sign. Savings, if any, depend on your usage, utility rates, and local rules.
Last reviewed 2026-10-20.
More for New York homeowners: state guide with utility rules, prices and city pages.
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