Solar and Your Con Edison Bill: What Brooklyn & Queens Homeowners Can Expect in 2026

If you're in Brooklyn or Queens, your Con Edison bill has probably become a topic of conversation you didn't sign up for. Between distribution charges, supply costs, and rate increases regulators keep approving, the cost of keeping the lights on has been climbing steadily. It's one of the biggest reasons homeowners across both boroughs are taking a serious look at solar. Here's what actually happens to your Con Ed bill once panels go on your roof — and what's still worth knowing before you decide anything.

Why Your Con Edison Bill Keeps Climbing

Con Edison serves the entire five boroughs, and its rates have moved in one direction lately: up. New York regulators approved another round of Con Edison rate increases heading into 2026, layering onto hikes from recent years. None of this is unique to Con Ed — utilities across the state and country are raising rates to cover grid upgrades and rising energy costs — but if you're a homeowner on a fixed budget, it's a real number that shows up every month whether you like it or not.

How Solar Credits Actually Show Up on a Con Edison Bill

This is the part most homeowners want explained simply, so here it is. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses at that moment, the extra power flows back into the Con Edison grid — and you get credited for it. This is called net metering, and here's how it works under Con Edison's current program:

• One-to-one retail credit. Con Edison credits the electricity you send back at the same retail rate you'd otherwise pay — not a discounted wholesale rate.

• Credits roll over. Unused credits carry from month to month, so summer production (when your panels work hardest) can offset winter usage (when your panels work least).

• The current policy is locked in for new solar customers. Homeowners who go solar today generally lock into today's net metering structure for the length of the program, so future rule changes don't apply retroactively to an existing system.

• A small monthly charge may apply. Some solar customers see a modest Customer Benefit Contribution line item on their bill, which helps fund clean energy and assistance programs statewide.

In plain terms: every kilowatt-hour your system produces and you don't use immediately is still working for you, not disappearing.

What This Means for Your Actual Bill

The honest answer is: it depends on your roof, your household usage, your system size, and how it's financed — which is exactly why we won't quote you a blanket "you'll save $X" number in a blog post. What we can tell you is that a properly sized system, paired with net metering credits, is designed to offset a meaningful share of your annual Con Edison usage. And because your utility rate is the thing that keeps rising every year, locking in a chunk of your usage at today's system cost — rather than tomorrow's utility rate — is the calculation worth running for your specific home.

The Incentives Still on the Table in 2026

The federal government's 30% purchase credit (Section 25D) expired for systems bought outright as of December 31, 2025. If you go the lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) route instead, the company that owns the system may still access a separate federal credit and pass some of that value along through your monthly payment — worth asking about directly. Meanwhile, New York's own incentives are still very much active for Brooklyn and Queens homeowners:

• NY State solar tax credit — 25% of your system cost, up to $5,000, available statewide.

• NYC property tax abatement — up to 30% of eligible solar costs, applied to your property tax bill incrementally over four years, available to Brooklyn and Queens property owners (applications are typically due in mid-March each year to apply that year).

• NY-Sun rebates — an upfront incentive available in Con Edison territory that reduces your installed cost before financing even begins.

• Net metering, as covered above.

Stacked together, these are still some of the strongest state-level solar incentives in the country — even with the federal purchase credit gone.

Why It's Worth Getting an Independent Read on Your Numbers

Every installer runs your numbers a little differently, and every home's roof, shading, and usage pattern are a little different too. As an independent solar consultant, The Lighthouse Movement isn't tied to a single installer or product line — we compare multiple top-rated installers serving Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens and match you to whichever one actually fits your home, your budget, and your Con Edison bill. No pressure, no single sales pitch, just a clear-eyed comparison.

Ready to See What Solar Could Do for Your Bill?

Book a free, no-pressure consultation with The Lighthouse Movement and get honest numbers for your Brooklyn or Queens home. Call (631) 697-3006 or visit tlhmovement.com to get started.

This article is general information for homeowners in Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Incentive programs, utility rates, and eligibility rules can change, and your individual costs and savings will depend on your specific home and system. Please consult a qualified tax professional and verify current program details before making any financial decisions.