More New York Homes Could Be Powered by the Sun

Solar energy is becoming more common across the country, and New York is a big part of that growth. Right now, about 7 percent of homes in the U.S. use solar power. By the year 2030, that number is expected to grow to more than 15%. In New York alone, more than 1.2 million homes could be powered by solar energy made here in the state.

The U.S. Produces a Lot of Solar Power

A new study looked at how much solar energy different countries can produce and how much homeowners benefit from it. The good news is that the United States is one of the top countries in the world for solar output. On average, solar panels in the U.S. produce about 1,595 kilowatt hours of power each year for every unit of system size installed.

But It Costs More to Install Solar Here

The average cost in the U.S. is about 2,800 dollars per unit of system size, which is higher than in places like China and some European countries. Because of that, many homeowners take longer to earn back what they spend on solar, even if they save money on their electric bills later.

New York Ranks High for Solar Potential

When looking at individual states, New York ranks sixth in the nation for how many homes could be powered by solar energy. That puts New York ahead of states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Colorado. States like California and Texas produce the most solar energy overall.

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What This Means for New York Families

Solar panels can produce plenty of power in our state, and a lot of homes could benefit from them. However, the upfront cost can still be a big problem for many families. That is why you should look into state programs, tax credits, or community solar options that let you use solar power without putting panels on your roof.