Orange and Rockland solar is one of the smartest moves a Hudson Valley homeowner can make in 2026. O&R customers already pay some of the highest electricity rates in New York. Going solar lets you lock in your own power and step off that rising utility bill. This guide breaks down net metering, the CBC charge, and the state incentives that still make the math work.
At Infinity Energy, we install across Rockland, Orange, and Sullivan counties every week. Here is what you need to know as an O&R customer.
Why O&R Rates Make Solar Worth a Look
Orange and Rockland delivers power to much of the lower Hudson Valley. That includes towns like Nanuet, Suffern, Nyack, Middletown, Monroe, and Warwick.
In March 2025, the state approved a three-year rate plan for O&R. Average residential electric bills rose about 4.6% in 2025. They climb another 3.3% in 2026 and 3.5% again in 2027.
Those increases stack on top of rates that already top 20 cents per kilowatt-hour. Every year you wait, the utility keeps setting the price. Solar flips that equation and puts a fixed cost in your hands.
How Net Metering Works With O&R
Net metering is still open to new O&R solar customers in 2026. When your panels make more power than your home uses, the extra flows back to the grid. O&R then credits your account for it.
At night or on cloudy days, you pull from the grid and spend those credits. Over a full year, a well-sized system can cover most or all of your usage. Your installer sizes the array to match your past 12 months of bills.
What Is the CBC Charge?
New York adds a small Customer Benefit Contribution, or CBC, to every new solar account. It funds statewide clean-energy programs that all ratepayers share.
For O&R residential customers on net metering, the 2026 CBC runs about $1.00 per kilowatt of system size each month. A typical 8 kW system pays roughly $8 a month. That cost stays modest next to the bill a solar array offsets.
You can also pick the Value Stack tariff, which cuts the CBC to about $0.50 per kilowatt. For most homes, though, net metering delivers more savings over 20 years. We model both options before you sign anything.
New York Incentives That Lower Your Cost
The state stacks several incentives on top of your utility savings. These are New York programs, available to you as an O&R customer.
State tax credit: New York gives a 25% state income tax credit on your system, capped at $5,000. That credit alone covers a large slice of the price.
NY-Sun rebate: NYSERDA pays a per-watt rebate through its NY-Sun program. We apply it directly to your quote, so you see the lower number up front.
Tax exemptions: Your solar equipment is exempt from New York State sales tax. Under the state’s RPTL 487 property tax exemption, the added home value can also stay off your property tax bill for up to 15 years. Some towns and school districts opt out, so we confirm it for your address.
Getting Connected: Interconnection and PTO
Before your system switches on, O&R has to approve it. That approval is called permission to operate, or PTO. It confirms your install meets code and grid-safety rules.
We handle the interconnection paperwork for you, start to finish. Our team files the application, coordinates the inspection, and submits the final package to O&R. You never chase forms or sit on hold with the utility.
Most O&R homeowners move from signed contract to PTO in a matter of weeks, not months. We keep you posted at every step, so you always know where your project stands.
Add a Battery and Stay Powered
O&R territory sees its share of storms and outages. A home battery keeps your lights, fridge, and Wi-Fi running when the grid goes down.
NYSERDA offers a separate rebate on home battery storage, which brings the price down further. We are a Tesla Powerwall certified installer, and we size storage to your home’s critical loads. Pair that battery with solar, and you recharge it straight from your own roof.
Why Homeowners Choose Infinity Energy
Since 2008, we have completed more than 10,000 installations across the tri-state area. Our headquarters sit in Mahwah, New Jersey, minutes from the Rockland County line.
EnergySage named us Installer of the Year and ranks us an Elite+ installer, the top 4% nationally. We also hold NYSERDA Gold installer status and an A+ rating from the BBB.
Our roofing division is in-house, so a roof repair and a solar install stay under one contractor. Your panels carry a 25-year production warranty. Ask about $0 down financing while you are at it.
Is Solar Worth It for O&R Customers?
For most Orange and Rockland homeowners, the answer is yes. High rates, yearly increases, and strong state incentives all point the same direction. The sooner you start, the sooner your bill stops climbing.
Every roof and every bill is different, though. The honest answer always comes from a real look at your usage and your roof.
Get a Free, No-Pressure Quote
Curious what solar would look like on your home? Our team will review your O&R bill and map out your savings, with no obligation. Reach out to Infinity Energy, and we will take it from there.
