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Solar vs. grid power: how much can you save?
Electricity rates are on the rise. The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that electricity prices in the U.S. rose 6.2% in 2023 alone.
Homeowners across the country are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs and many are turning to solar energy. But just how much can you save with solar and is it worth the investment?
Solar customers can often save tens of thousands of dollars over the lifespan of their solar system. To determine exactly how much you can save, you’ll have to do a little math.
Compare your current cost per kW from Rochester Gas & Electric Corp with the cost per kW of your solar system. Then calculate your monthly or yearly expenses across a 25-year period. Finally, subtract your total cost of energy with solar from your total of energy from the grid to determine your savings
A simpler way to estimate your savings potential is to compare your current monthly energy costs with your projected solar payments. If your energy costs are higher than your solar payments, there is a good chance you will see savings.
At Solar Cost Calculator, we suggest that anybody paying more than $100 a month for electricity should consider solar.
What solar incentives Rochester Gas & Electric Corp does offer?
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.rge.com/wps/portal/rge/saveenergy/!ut/p/z1/jZDNDoIwEISfhiu7CpjqrSFG4w_RAwF7MSXWggFK2sLzi_GKlb3tZr6ZzAKDHFjLh0pyW6mW1-N-Y6t7sDhv92GMyW5NKF4xjsklOS6RhJA5BRgBm8Pjj6E4j3cImNs-A-aM-DT453EAJmtVfN9F2yIgEpgWT6GF9ns9nktrO7Px0MNOK6l5Y_yHqbToDfeVlh5OkaUy
Applicable Sectors : Commercial
Incentive Amount : Lighting Fixtures LED Replacement Tubes: $11.50 - $32.00/unit LED Interior Ambient Fixtures: $35 - $120/unit LED Refrigerated Case Lights: $7 - $13/linear foot LED Downlights, Track Lighting and Wall-Wash Fixtures: $35 - $65/unit LED Exterior Area Fixtures: $125 - $540/unit LED High/Low Bay Fixtures: $80 - $700/unit Lighting Controls: $6.50 - $80 HVAC and Plumbing Boilers, Furnaces and Unit Heaters: $4 - $6/MBH Instantaneous Water Heaters: $350 - $500 WiFi Thermostat: $125 Demand Controller Ventialtion: $50 * (ft^2/1000) Weather Stripping and Air Sealing: $150/1000SF
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://dps.ny.gov/distributed-generation-information
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/EmPower-New-York
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Low-Income: no-cost Moderate-Income: 50% of eligible work
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.rge.com/wps/portal/rge/saveenergy/businesssolutions/commercialandindustrial/!ut/p/z1/vZNNb4JAEIZ_Sw8cyQ6KCEckBNsK1g_Kx4WssOIaWXRZrf33XRITTRqladLubZKZd555ZxalKEYpwydaYkFrhncyTlIj62u-O9YdCDzLtGEGjmO-Ba89MHUUPUyAAUp_Ug93ng1d9e8oRWnOxF5sUMJLgkueXS
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, State Government, Federal Government, Tribal Government, Agricultural, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Lighting & Controls LED Tubes: $6 - $12/unit LED Linear Ambient: $25 - $40/unit LED Downlights: $25/unit LED Track Lighting: $25/unit>br /> LED Indoor Wall-Wash Fixtures: $25/unit LED High and Low Bay Fixture: $55 - $300/unit LED Refrigerated Case Lights - Cooler/Freezer: $5/linear ft LED Wall Packs: $90/unit LED Flood Lights: $180/unit LED Mount/Pole: $360/unit Wall Switch Sensor: $11/unit Remote or Wall Mounted Sensor: $25/unit Fixture Mounted Sensor: $11/unit Integrated Sensor: $5 - $15/unit Refrigerated Case Sensor: $8/unit Networked Lighting Controls: $9 - $30/unit HVAC and Plumbing Notched Belt: $25/belt Synchronous Belt: $100/belt Steam Trap: $100 - $250/trap Unitary HVAC & Split AC Systems: $50 - $150/ton Boilers: $2 - $3/MBH Boiler Economizer: $2 - $4 Furnaces: $2/MBH Unit Heater: $2/MBH Natural Gas Heating: $250 Electric Heating: $400>br /> Weather Stripping and Air Sealing: $100/1000SF EC Motor for Hydronic Circulation Pump: $150 - $2,000 Wi-Fi Thermostats: $75/thermostat Boiler Reset Controls: $150/control Guest Room Energy Management System(EMS): $150/ton Condensed Water Pump: $40/hp Chilled Water Pump: $40/hp Hot Water Pump: $40/hp Cooling Tower Fan: $40/hp Return Fan: $60/hp Supply Fan: $60/hp Demand Controlled Ventilation(DCV): $25 * (ft^2/1000) Industrial Air Curtain: $20 * Length * Height Boiler Tune-Up: $0.30/MBH Chiller Tune-Up: $5/ton Kitchen Equipment and Refrigeration Electric Convection Oven: $500 Natural Gas Convection Oven: $1,000 Natural Gas Conveyor Oven: $1,000 Electric Combination Oven: $500 - $2,000 Natural Gas Combination Oven: $800 - $2,000 Rack Ovens: $1,250 - $2,500 Insulated Holding Cabinet: $400 - $800 Fryers: $750 - $1,000 Griddle: $350 - $500 Steamers: $2,000 - $2,500 Ice-Makers: $100 - $800 Dishwasher: $100 - $900 Cooler/Freezer Evaporator Fan Motors: $20/unit Anti-condensation heater controls on glass door refrigerated cases: $40/unit Evaporator Fan Controls: $20/unit Cooler and Freezer Door Strip: $1/(ft^2) Process Systems VSD Air Compressors: $150*hp*qty Refrigerated Compressed Air Dryer: $4*CFM Zero-Loss Condensate Drains: $120*drain qty Compress Air Flow Controller: $1,000*controller qty Compressed Air Low Pressure Drop Filter: $500*filter Compressed Air Heat Recovery: $50*compressor system hp*qty Ozone Generator for Commercial Laundry Machines: $25*qty*washer load capacity Process Exhaust Filtration and Recirculation: $1.25/cfm * Qty Agricultural Equipment High Speed Barn Fan: $150 - $350 Electric Water Heater: $10 - $30 Natural Gas Water Heater: $3 - $10 Milk Pre-Cooling System: $5 - $20 Vacuum Pump Speed Drive: $50/motor Custom Rebates Electric Savings: $0.20/kWh saved Natural Gas Savings: $1.50/therm saved
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.rge.com/web/rge/smartenergy/businesssolutions/commercialandindustrialrebates/commercial-and-industrial-rebate-catalogs
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, State Government, Federal Government, Tribal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount : HVAC & Plumbing Unitary HVAC & Split AC Systems: $40 - $150/ton Condensing Hydronic Boilers: $3/MBH Steam Boiler: $2/MBH Economizer: $2 - $4/MBH Furnaces: $2/MBH Unit Heaters: $2/MBH Instantaneous Heaters: $250 - $400/unit Steam Traps: $100 - $250/unit Steam Trap Survey: 100% of survey cost, up to $10,000 Electronically Commutated Motor : $150 - $2,000/unit Smart Thermostat: $75/unit Boiler Reset Controls: $150/unit Variable Frequency Drive: $40 - $60/HP Kitchen Equipment: Varies widely. Visit website for more details Agricultural Equipment: Varies widely. Visit website for more details Lighting: Varies widely. Visit website for more details Custom Rebate Electric Savings: $0.20/kWh saved Natural Gas Savings: $1.50/therm saved
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.rge.com/smartenergy
Applicable Sectors : Residential
Incentive Amount : Residential Rebate Program Induction Cooktop: $100 WiFi Thermostat: $75 Water Boiler: $250 Furnace AFUE >96 with ECM: $150 Furnace or Boiler Tune-up: $75 ENERGY STAR Natural Gas Dryer Energy Star: $50 ENERGY STAR Pool Pump: $300 Pool Heater: $100
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/NY-Sun
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Nonprofit, Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Residential-Financing-Options
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://ny-sun.ny.gov/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Installers/Contractors, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Institutional, Integrators
Incentive Amount : Incentive rates step down over time as MW goals are met. Incentive rates as of 8/11/2023 are: Con Edison Region: Residential: $0.20/W Nonresidential (0 - 200 kW): $1.00/W Nonresidential (200 kW - 1 MW): $0.80/W Nonresidential (1+ MW): $0.50/W Upstate Region: Residential: $0.20/W Nonresidential: $0.35/W Long Island Region: Residential: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed) Nonresidential: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed) *additional adders/incentives are available
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/CORE_Solicitation_Detail_Page?SolicitationId=a0rt0000000QnB1AAK
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Institutional, Appliance Manufacturers
Incentive Amount : Minimum incentive of $25,000 Electric Process and Energy Efficiency: $0.10/kWh (Upstate) or $0.16/kWh (Downstate) Fossil Fuel Process and Energy Efficiency: $6/MMBtu (Upstate and Downstate) Operational and Maintenance: $0.04/kWh (Electric) and $3/MMBTU (fossil fuel)
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Assisted-Home-Performance-with-ENERGY-STAR
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : 50% of costs
Implementing Sector : State
Installing and connecting your solar system
When you install a solar system in Rochester Gas & Electric Corp territory, these are steps you can expect to go through:
Once you’ve hired a contractor, you will need to communicate with Rochester Gas & Electric Corp to prepare the interconnection paper. Your contractor will handle most of these responsibilities
After the interconnection agreement has been finalized, your contractor can begin the installation process.
Once your system is installed, it needs to be inspected for safety and code compliance.
After the final inspection, you will receive a written notice within a few days that your system is approved to operate. You can turn on the system yourself or you can contact your installer for further assistance.
Most homeowners prefer to do it themselves. The whole process should only take 10 - 15 minutes.
Is solar worth it for Rochester Gas & Electric Corp customers?
The short and sweet answer is a resounding YES. Going solar is definitely worth it for Rochester Gas & Electric Corp customers. The average homeowner in _UtilityCompanyName_ can save an estimated #### over the lifespan of their solar system.
Going solar is a long game so you need to think several years ahead. It can take a few years to hit your break even period. But between net metering and solar incentives, you can drastically reduce that timeframe.
Want to get an idea for what it will cost you to go solar with Rochester Gas & Electric Corp? You can use our Solar Cost Calculator to generate a customized estimate instantly. We take into consideration a wide range of criteria including location, electric bill, roof size, and other factors. Try it out today and start planning for your future.
