How National Grid upstate rates rose 49 percent
National Grid (Niagara Mohawk)'s average residential electricity price has risen from 13.31 cents per kWh in 2015 to 19.88 cents in 2025, an increase of about 49 percent, or roughly 4.1 percent per year. The chart shows National Grid's average residential price by year. Hover any point for the exact figure.
Two ways New York can pay for your solar
Net metering (Phase One)
Exported kWh earn bill credits at the full retail rate, netted monthly, locked for 20 years. New systems also pay a monthly Customer Benefit Contribution based on system size. For most homes this is the better deal.
The VDER Value Stack
Instead of retail netting, exports are paid as a stack of grid-value components, energy, capacity, and an environmental value, that vary by hour and location. It mainly benefits larger and community projects, not typical homes.
Current residential rates
National Grid residential rates are shown below, from the utility's published tariffs and the public Utility Rate Database. Rates vary by plan, season, and usage and change over time.
| Plan | Energy charge | Fixed / basic |
|---|---|---|
| Residential SC-1 (default bundled service) | Roughly 16 to 18 cents/kWh all-in: delivery about 8.9 cents/kWh plus a monthly default supply charge (the price to compare was about 15 to 16 cents/kWh in 2025). Supply resets monthly. | $19.00/month basic service charge |
The SC-1 residential tariff is a $19.00 monthly basic service charge plus per-kWh delivery (about 8.9 cents/kWh) plus supply. Default supply is a price to compare that resets monthly, and customers may instead buy supply from a third-party supplier. A multi-year rate plan is phasing in delivery increases, so confirm current figures against National Grid's tariff before making decisions.
Net metering and the Value Stack, explained
New York residential rooftop solar (generally up to about 25 kW) is compensated under Phase One net metering: exported kWh earn bill credits at the full retail rate, netted monthly, for 20 years. Systems interconnected on or after January 1, 2022 also pay a monthly Customer Benefit Contribution based on system size. Residential customers may instead opt into the statewide VDER Value Stack, which pays exports as a stack of grid-value components rather than retail net metering; for most homes retail net metering saves more.
What New York's rules mean for solar
National Grid's upstate rates rose about 49 percent since 2015, with sharp increases in 2022 and 2025 as wholesale supply prices climbed. Higher rates make each offset kWh worth more.
New York is one of the states that kept retail-rate net metering, so exported solar is credited at close to what you pay, unlike Michigan or Illinois. The main wrinkle is the monthly Customer Benefit Contribution on new systems. Whether solar pencils out depends on your roof and usage, so get a site-specific quote.
What rising National Grid rates could cost you
National Grid rates have risen about 4.1% per year. Enter your bill to see what that pace of increase could compound to over time, and what you have likely already absorbed. This is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Estimate only. Projects your current bill forward at National Grid's historical average rate increase (4.1% per year, from EIA data); it assumes your usage stays the same except for any add-ons you select. Actual rates depend on your usage, rate plan, and the utility's future filings, and are not guaranteed. This is general information, not financial advice.
National Grid service area
National Grid serves Upstate New York. The electric utility is legally Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, doing business as National Grid, serving roughly 24,000 square miles including the Buffalo and Niagara area, Syracuse and central New York, the Mohawk Valley, the Capital District around Albany, and parts of the North Country..
To confirm whether a specific address is served by National Grid, check your electricity bill. A ZIP lookup tool is coming to this site.
Full data and sources
Per-utility prices are computed from EIA Form 861 (bundled residential revenue divided by sales), which reconciles to the EIA's published figures. These are public-domain U.S. government data.
| Year | National Grid (c/kWh) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 13.31 |
| 2016 | 12.08 |
| 2017 | 12.61 |
| 2018 | 12.59 |
| 2019 | 12.54 |
| 2020 | 12.64 |
| 2021 | 14.89 |
| 2022 | 18.64 |
| 2023 | 16.97 |
| 2024 | 17.22 |
| 2025 | 19.88 |
Sources: EIA Form 861, Sales to Ultimate Customers (2015 to 2024) · National Grid, Upstate New York electric rates · NYSERDA, Value of Distributed Energy Resources (Value Stack) · New York Public Service Commission, net metering and VDER (Case 15-E-0751)
FAQ
How much have National Grid upstate New York rates gone up?
National Grid's average residential price in upstate New York rose from about 13 cents per kWh in 2015 to about 20 cents in 2025, an increase of roughly 49 percent, per EIA Form 861 data.
Does National Grid have net metering?
Yes. New York keeps retail-rate net metering (Phase One), so exports earn bill credits at the full retail rate, netted monthly and locked for 20 years. New systems also pay a monthly Customer Benefit Contribution based on size, or can instead choose the VDER Value Stack.
Should I choose net metering or the Value Stack?
For most homes, retail net metering saves more, because it credits exports at the full retail rate. The VDER Value Stack pays a set of grid-value components that generally suit larger, community, and commercial projects better than a typical residential system.
Is solar worth it with National Grid upstate?
Rising rates and retail-rate net metering both favor solar here, offset by the monthly Customer Benefit Contribution on new systems. The value depends on your usage, roof, and system size, so get a site-specific quote rather than a general estimate.