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Solar Background
Live Data Analysis

Your solar report for Schenectady, NY

Good news for Schenectady residents: 4.50 peak sun hours means strong production potential. Federal incentives make this the right time. Your area receives an average of 4.50 peak sun hours per day.

Solar Authority Score™
65 Moderate

Nearby Areas

Schenectady 12304 Guilderland 12084 Schenectady 12307 Guilderland Center 12085 Schenectady 12309 Schenectady 12305
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Solar Coverage Map: Schenectady, NY

6 nearby locations
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Annual Electricity Offset

$907 /yr
High ROI Expected
Investment Grade: A+

Verified Solar Potential

Production
6,128 kWh per year (Est.)

Payback Period

9.5 Years

Time until system pays for itself

25-Year Lifetime Savings

$14,095

Estimated net profit after system costs

Fed. Tax Credit (30%)

$3,677
Money back in pocket

Available Incentives & Rebates

Residents of Schenectady may qualify for 5 active programs.

Federal Programs (Apply to Everyone)

Warning: 2026 Cliff
Inflation Reduction Act (Sec. 48E)
Benefit Value Pass-through Savings

If you lease your system (PPA), the solar company claims this credit and passes savings to you. Valid through 2032.

Warning: 2026 Cliff
Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (ITC)
Benefit Value 30% (Expiring 2025)

30% Tax Credit for systems installed by Dec 31, 2025. CRITICAL: For 2026, this credit is set to expire for homeowner-owned systems unless extended. Leases (Third-Party) still qualify under Sec. 48E.

NY State Incentives

VDER Stack
Net Metering / VDER

Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) stack value credits.

Upfront Rebate
NY-Sun (Megawatt Block)

Upfront rebate based on system size ($/Watt). Varies by region.

$5,000 Credit
Solar Energy System Equipment Credit

25% state tax credit, capped at $5,000.

Efficiency

Code: 12303
EXCELLENT Score

4.50 Peak Sun Hours / day

Live Solar Forecast

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Production Efficiency --%

Fetching satellite data for Schenectady...

Peak Sun Hours Comparison

Above Avg
Bar chart comparing Schenectady's 4.50 peak sun hours to the national average of 4.5 hours Schenectady National Avg State Avg 4.50 hrs 4.50 hrs 4.45 hrs 0h 2h 4h 6h

Schenectady receives 0% more peak sunlight than the U.S. average, indicating excellent solar production potential.

Solar Physics Simulator

Sun path trajectory for Schenectady

26.8° Max Elevation
Sun path diagram showing summer vs winter trajectory in Schenectady East South West Summer (June) 26.8° Altitude Winter (Dec) -4.5° Altitude

In Schenectady, the sun is 31.3° lower in the sky during winter.
💡 Tip: Panels positioned at a 38.5° tilt will capture maximum energy year-round.

Why Solar in Schenectady?

Our analysis of Schenectady, NY reveals strong solar fundamentals: 4.50 peak sun hours daily and estimated savings of $907/year. New York electricity rates are 50% above the national average The solution? NY-Sun incentive adds $0.20-0.40 per watt on top of federal credit

True Cost Calculator

Average System Cost $12,256
🇺🇸 Federal Tax Credit (30%)
- $3,677
🏛️ NY Rebate
- $1,000
Your Net Cost
$7,579
Financial Showdown

If you had $25k... Stock Market vs. Solar

Comparing a 20-year investment in the S&P 500 versus purchasing a solar system in Schenectady.

S&P 500 (Historical 7%) $60,981 Net Profit
Taxable
Solar Energy System $22,870 Tax-Free Gain
Winner 👑
Savings: $24,370 + Property Value: $16,000

Solar Outperforms by -62%

Unlike stock market gains which are taxed at ~15-20%, the money you save on electricity is 100% tax-free. Plus, solar increases your home's resale value immediately.

With only 6 installers in Schenectady, choose carefully. Verify NABCEP certification and check recent local references.