If you own a home in Ulster County, your electric bill has likely crept higher every season. Solar panels in Ulster County give you a way to take back control of that cost. Central Hudson rates keep rising, and a new delivery increase took effect in July 2026. The more you pay the utility, the more a solar system saves you over time.
This guide walks through what solar really costs here, which New York incentives still apply in 2026, and how net metering works with Central Hudson.
Why Ulster County electric bills keep climbing
Central Hudson serves homes across Ulster County and the wider Hudson Valley. Your bill has two parts. One is delivery, and the other is supply.
On July 1, 2026, the delivery charge rose again as the second phase of a three-year rate plan. For the average customer, that change adds roughly $6.25 a month. Bills tend to bite hardest in summer and deep winter, when cooling and heating run longest. Solar offsets the usage that drives those peaks, since the panels produce most during the long days of the warm season.
How much do solar panels cost in Ulster County?
Cost depends on your roof and how much electricity you use. A typical Hudson Valley system runs between 8 and 11 kilowatts. Before any incentives, most land somewhere in the mid-$20,000s to low-$30,000s.
Larger homes need bigger systems and pay more. Smaller homes pay less. Older homes in Kingston, New Paltz, and Saugerties often carry high winter heating loads, which makes a right-sized system matter even more. At Infinity Energy, we size every system to your last 12 months of usage, not your roof size. We also offer $0 down financing, so you can start saving without a large upfront check.
Which New York incentives still apply in 2026?
New York still rewards homeowners who go solar. The biggest benefit is the New York State solar tax credit. It covers 25 percent of your system cost, up to $5,000.
New York also exempts solar equipment from state sales tax. On top of that, under New York’s RPTL 487, the added home value from solar stays exempt from property tax increases in most municipalities, so your assessment usually will not rise because you installed panels. The catch is that some towns, counties, and school districts have opted out, so it is worth confirming the rule where you live. NY-Sun rebates still exist, but the picture has narrowed, and the largest remaining dollars are aimed at income-qualified households. Your installer applies any rebate you qualify for directly to your contract. We will tell you upfront which incentives fit your situation.
How net metering works with Central Hudson
Net metering is where the long-term savings come from. When your panels make more power than you use, Central Hudson credits your account for the extra. Those credits roll forward and offset your bills during darker months.
New York still offers net metering for residential systems. You keep close to the full retail value of what you produce. The state does add a small monthly Customer Benefit Contribution charge, scaled to your system size. That charge stays modest, and your solar savings far outweigh it. You still pay a basic service charge to stay connected to the grid, which is why most solar homes see a small bill even in sunny months.
Should you add a battery?
Batteries are gaining ground across the Hudson Valley. Storms and aging lines can knock out power for hours or even days. A battery keeps your refrigerator, lights, and heat running when the grid goes down.
Tesla Powerwall is a common choice, and Infinity Energy is a certified Powerwall installer. New York also offers storage incentives that can lower the cost of adding a battery. Pairing storage with solar helps you lean less on the grid during the priciest hours of the day.
Is solar worth it in Ulster County?
For most homeowners, the answer comes down to payback. In the Hudson Valley, payback typically lands in the 8 to 12 year range. After that, your panels keep producing for decades. Every Central Hudson rate increase shortens that timeline, because the power you make at home replaces power you would otherwise buy at a higher price.
Our panels carry a 25-year warranty on both the product and production. Infinity Energy has completed more than 10,000 installations since 2009. We are an Elite Plus installer on EnergySage, a NYSERDA Gold installer, and we hold an A plus rating with the BBB. We also run our own in-house roofing division, so roof work and a solar install can happen as one project.
Get an honest look at your own numbers
Thinking about solar for your Ulster County home? Our team can walk you through your utility bill, your incentives, and a clear payback estimate with no pressure. Reach out for a free, no-obligation quote, and we will tell you honestly whether solar makes sense for your roof.
