Con Edison Electricity Rates Are Rising – Here’s How Solar Can Help
Con Edison, a major utility company serving New York City and Westchester County, has proposed substantial electricity rate increases set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The proposed Con Edison electricity rates would result in an 11.4% increase in the average electricity bill.
If approved, a homeowner whose current average bill is $200 would see their electricity costs rise by $23 per month or nearly $275 per year. That’s in addition to the 13.3% proposed increase to the average Con Edison gas bill.
With Con Edison electricity rates much higher than the national average — and rising sharply in 2026 — many New Yorkers are in a position to see significant savings by going solar. With the fate of the 30% federal solar tax credit uncertain beyond 2025, now is the best time to lock in a low, flat cost for solar power.
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Why Is My ConEd Bill So High?
ConEd electricity bills fluctuate throughout the year based on weather, electricity usage, and market conditions. For instance, bills tend to be higher in the summer due to power-hungry air conditioners and in the winter when the price of natural gas (used to generate most of NY’s electricity) increases.
There’s also a general trend of Con Edison electricity rates rising over time. A customer with an average bill of $175 per month in 2022 would pay $225 per month in 2026, if the proposed rate hikes are approved. That’s $50 more per month or $600 more per year for using the same amount of electricity.
The rationale behind these 2026 increases is to fund $1.6 billion in investments in clean energy initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and expanded support for low-income customers. However, these added costs place a significant burden on households already managing tight budgets.
How Rooftop Solar in NY Can Lower Your Energy Costs
Investing in rooftop solar panels gives you control over your electricity cost by replacing your Con Edison electricity bill with a flat payment for solar that won’t rise over time. This can lead to substantial savings — especially with New York’s favorable incentives and solar policies.
- The NY State solar tax credit, worth 25% of your project costs up to $5,000
- The Federal Solar Tax Credit, worth 30% of your project cost
- The NY-Sun solar rebate, currently worth $150 per kW of solar capacity for Con Edison customers
- Sales tax exemption for solar purchases
- Property tax abatement for homes with solar in NYC
Plus, New York offers 1 to 1 net metering, which means you can sell your excess solar electricity back to Con Edison at the same rate you purchase grid electricity. With net metering, you can easily offset nearly 100% of your Con Edison electric bill, with the exception of around $20 in non-bypassable charges and fees.
How Much Can Con Edison Customers Save With Solar?
Let’s say your Con Edison electricity bill is currently $200 per month, on average. If Con Edison electricity rates rise at 3% per year, you’d pay over $81,000 for electricity over the next 25 years (assuming your usage stays the same).
How does that compare to solar?
- The cost of a solar system to offset a $200 Con Edison bill is typically between $23,000 and $27,000
- This system would qualify for $12,500-$13,700 in state and federal incentives
- Instead of paying $81,000 to Con Edison, you could pay $10,500-$13,300 for a solar system with a 25-year performance warranty.
With high (and rising) electricity rates and great incentives, Con Edison customers have a golden opportunity to save money with rooftop solar. Don’t wait for the 2026 rate hike to kick in—get custom solar proposals on solar.com to see your savings potential.
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