The NY-Sun program states upfront that its primary focus is to make “it possible for New Yorkers to choose clean energy while lowering their energy costs.” NY-Sun helps families and businesses through incentives and financing or programs like Community Solar across the state.
Incentives and financing are intended to lower the cost of installing or purchasing solar and there are separate programs designed for homeowners and for the contractors and developers installing solar. NYSERDA has a guide that lays out the variety of incentives and loan programs that homeowners can rely upon to help navigate NY-Sun programs. The drawback to incentives and loans is that there usually is an upfront cost to install solar that some businesses and homeowners may not be able to or unwilling to pay.