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Solar in Tompkins County, NY

Solar panels in Ithaca, NY

3.8 peak sun hours per day. See what the data says about Ithaca, then check your specific roof free.

Utility territory: NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas)

Local context

What limits Ithaca roofs

Ithaca averages 3.8 peak sun hours per day in the regional data. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade can reduce production further for an individual property.

Solar data for Ithaca

Peak sun hours / day
3.8 hrs

Modeled annual average.

Typical system size
6–10 kW

Residential, based on typical household load.

Estimated first-year savings
$1,100–$1,850

Per year for a typical 6–10 kW system. The high end assumes the larger array.

Roofs suitable for solar
55–70%

Modeled from regional adoption data.

Primary utility
NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas)

Contact your utility for current net billing enrollment status.

Net metering / billing
Net Metering (1:1 retail + CBC)

New York credits exported solar at the full retail rate under net metering, with monthly rollover and terms locked for 20 years from interconnection. New solar customers also pay a monthly Customer Benefit Contribution based on system size — set annually per utility, roughly $1–$1.70 per kW of panels per month in 2026 — which this estimate subtracts from savings.

Estimates use Ithaca's local utility residential rate of $0.17/kWh (verified August 2026) and modeled solar production; individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading.

Personalized estimate

Estimate your first-year solar savings

Start with your bill or adjust the rate and typical system size for Ithaca.

kW

Typical homes: 6–10 kW.

$/ kWh

Prefilled with the local utility's residential rate.

Estimated first-year savings

$1,500/ yr

$1,100–$1,850/yr for a typical 6–10 kW system — the low end is a smaller array, the high end a larger one.

Estimate — individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading. Assumes an 85% system derate and 100% self-consumption; exported energy uses the local net-billing estimate. Subtracts the utility's per-kWh solar program charge.

City averages are a starting point — check your address for your verified result.

Frequently asked questions

How much sun does Ithaca get for solar?

Ithaca receives approximately 3.8 peak sun hours per day on average, based on modeled regional data.

What is the estimated first-year savings from solar in Ithaca?

For a typical 6–10 kW system in Ithaca, first-year savings are estimated at $1,100–$1,850 per year: the low end uses the smaller system, while the high end is up to the larger system. Estimates use Ithaca's local utility residential rate of $0.17/kWh (verified August 2026) and modeled solar production; individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading. These are educational estimates, not guarantees.

What can limit solar production in Ithaca?

Ithaca averages 3.8 peak sun hours per day in the regional data. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade can reduce production further for an individual property.

Data source: City figures are modeled estimates for general guidance — not a quote for any specific property.

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The city data above is a regional estimate. Enter your address to get a personalized result based on your actual roof.

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