Energy Resources
Residential energy rebates, solar programs, federal tax credit status, and Cornell Cooperative Extension offices serving Oneida and Herkimer Counties.
Note: All figures and eligibility requirements are stated exactly as they appear on official sources. Amounts may change — always confirm directly on the linked official page before applying.
Residential Energy Rebates & Incentives
EmPower+ (NYSERDA)
Provider: NYSERDA
Eligibility: Income-eligible owners and renters of one- to four-family households
Helps low- and moderate-income households save energy and money on energy improvements to their primary residence: no-cost home energy assessments, no-cost direct-install improvements, and funding toward insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and electrical upgrades.
Amounts (as stated on official page):
- Low-income single-family households: no-cost energy efficiency improvements capped at $12,000 per project for upstate customers
- Moderate-income single-family households: incentive covering 50% of cost, capped at $6,000 per project for upstate customers
- Additional Sustainable Futures Program maximums: Heat Pump Water Heater $5,000; Air Source Heat Pump $10,000; Ground Source Heat Pump $10,000; Panel Box $5,000; Electrical Wiring Upgrade $2,500
- HEAR (Home Electrification Appliance Rebate) via EmPower+: air sealing, insulation, and ventilation up to $1,600
How to apply:
Apply through NYSERDA's MyEnergy portal (or printable mail-in application); help available at 1-866-NYSERDA or through your Regional Clean Energy Hub.
Comfort Home Program (NYSERDA)
Provider: NYSERDA
Eligibility: Homeowners (eligibility checked via MyEnergy portal)
'Seal and insulate' packages installed by trained Comfort Home contractors, starting with a no-fee consultation: air sealing, attic/rim joist, wall and floor insulation, and ENERGY STAR window upgrades.
Amounts (as stated on official page):
- Good package (seal and insulate attic and rim joist): $2,500
- Better package (Good plus walls and floors): $3,000
- Windows add-on: $2,000
- Repeat package within past year: total $1,000; more than a year ago: total $2,000
NYS Clean Heat heat pump incentives — National Grid (Upstate NY)
Provider: National Grid
Eligibility: National Grid electric service customers
Incentives for heat pump heating/cooling and heat pump water heaters, installed by a NYS Clean Heat Participating Contractor (required). Incentives vary by premise, project scope and heat pump type; higher incentives for homes in state-designated disadvantaged communities (DAC Tier, check NYSERDA's map); central, mini-split and air-to-water projects must fully decommission the previous heating source for the higher incentive. Delivered as an upfront discount or reimbursement after installation.
Dollar amounts not listed on the official page; omitted.
Mohawk Valley Regional Clean Energy Hub (Mohawk Valley Energy Choices)
Provider: CCE Oneida, Herkimer, Schoharie-Otsego
Eligibility: Residents regardless of homeowner/renter status (especially households with limited resources), multifamily owners, small businesses, non-profits in Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie Counties
Free one-on-one energy advising: help applying for a free home-energy assessment, understanding incentives, EV rebates, finding qualified contractors, and signing up for community solar.
Contact:
121 Second Street, Oriskany, NY
Phone: (315) 736-3394 ext. 260
Email: energyandenv@cornell.edu
Solar Programs
NY-Sun residential (on-site) solar
Provider: NYSERDA
Homeowners installing solar with an approved NY-Sun contractor. The incentive is applied by the contractor, usually taken off the price; amount depends on project size and location and phases down over time. Households earning less than 80% of area median income may qualify for extra incentives through Affordable Solar (Income Eligibility Application).
Also available:
- 25% New York State personal tax credit (panels must be at your personal residence)
- NYS Real Property Tax Exemption (some localities have opted out)
- Low-interest loans (On-Bill Recovery, Smart Energy Loans) via Energy Finance Solutions; financing help 1-800-361-5663
Community Solar (NY-Sun)
Provider: NYSERDA
Homeowners, renters, businesses and multifamily buildings can subscribe without installing panels; subscribers receive credits on their monthly electric bill for their share of a project's output. Use NYSERDA's project map to compare offers.
Statewide Solar for All
Provider: NYSERDA / utilities
Status: active
Free (no upfront costs, monthly charges or fees) bill credit from community solar for low-income households. You must be enrolled in your utility's Energy Assistance Program (EAP); once enrolled the credit appears automatically on your bill. Income documentation options include an award letter (within 12 months) for EmPower+, HEAP, SNAP, TANF, SSI or utility assistance.
Contact:
Federal Tax Credits Status
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C)
ENDED — not currently active
IRS states the credit can be claimed for improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D, incl. residential solar)
ENDED — not currently active
Per IRS FAQ on Public Law 119-21, the credit does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025.
Cornell Cooperative Extension County Offices
Cornell Cooperative Extension offices provide agricultural, environmental, and energy education and advising services across the region.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County
Serving: Oneida
Address: CCE Oneida Farm & Home Center, 121 Second Street, Oriskany, NY 13424
Phone: (315) 736-3394
Email: oneida@cornell.edu
Website: cceoneida.com
Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County
Serving: Herkimer
Address: 5657 State Route 5, Herkimer, NY 13350
Phone: (315) 866-7920
Email: herkimer@cornell.edu
Website: blogs.cornell.edu
Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties
Serving: Otsego; Schoharie
Address: Extension Center, 173 South Grand Street, Suite 1, Cobleskill, NY 12043
Phone: 518-234-4303
Email: schoharie-otsego@cornell.edu
Website: cceschoharie-otsego.org
Additional Locations:
Education Center (Otsego)
123 Lake Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: 607-547-2536
Email: otsego@cornell.edu
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties
Serving: Fulton; Montgomery
Address: 20 Park Street, Room 202, Fonda, NY 12068 (mail: PO Box 1500)
Phone: 518-853-2135
Email: fultonmontgomery@cornell.edu
Website: ccefm.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EmPower+ and who is eligible?
EmPower+ (NYSERDA) helps low- and moderate-income households save energy and money. Income-eligible owners and renters of one- to four-family households can receive no-cost home energy assessments, no-cost direct-install improvements, and funding toward insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and electrical upgrades. Low-income single-family households can receive no-cost energy efficiency improvements capped at $12,000 per project for upstate customers. Apply through NYSERDA's MyEnergy portal or call 1-866-NYSERDA.
How do I apply for heat pump rebates?
Heat pump rebates are available through NYS Clean Heat. National Grid electric customers can apply through National Grid's program, and NYSEG customers through NYSEG's program. Installation must be completed by a NYS Clean Heat Participating Contractor. Incentives vary by premise, project scope, and heat pump type. Higher incentives are available for homes in state-designated disadvantaged communities. The incentive is delivered as an upfront discount or reimbursement after installation.
Can I get free solar through community solar?
Low-income households enrolled in their utility's Energy Assistance Program (EAP) can receive free community solar bill credits through Statewide Solar for All (NYSERDA). There are no upfront costs, monthly charges, or fees. Once enrolled in EAP, the credit appears automatically on your bill. Income documentation includes an award letter (within 12 months) for EmPower+, HEAP, SNAP, TANF, SSI, or utility assistance. Contact communitysolar@nyserda.ny.gov for details.
Where can I get free energy advising?
The Mohawk Valley Regional Clean Energy Hub offers free one-on-one energy advising for residents regardless of homeowner/renter status, multifamily owners, small businesses, and non-profits in Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties. Services include help applying for a free home-energy assessment, understanding incentives, EV rebates, finding qualified contractors, and signing up for community solar. Contact them at 121 Second Street, Oriskany, NY, or call (315) 736-3394 ext. 260.
Data Quality
Every resource on this page has been verified from official sources. We show amounts and eligibility requirements exactly as stated on the official pages. All data is traceable to the linked sources.
Generated: October 10, 2026 | Cross-checked: All CCE addresses/phones also match Cornell CALS directory https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/local-offices (retrieved 2026-10-10).