Can a Long Island Home Run 100% on Solar in 2026?

A home on Long Island could run 100% on solar panels. However, the cost to do so is prohibitive. Whether you’re on the South Shore, the North Fork, or anywhere between, hybrid solar is the best way to save money.

The Reality of Off-Grid vs. Long Island’s Weather

Solar panels are most efficient on clear, sunny days. While modern panels can hit up to 25% of their total rated efficiency on overcast days, this isn’t enough to power a home. If you were to go completely off-grid (100% solar panels) in every season, you would need a vastly oversized solar panel array and an industrial-sized battery energy storage system. This isn’t efficient or affordable for the average homeowner.

To put this into context, consider how the grid works. We use plenty of grid-scale solar farms in New York State, but they are combined with nuclear energy, hydro, oil, and natural gas. Solar farms balance production and add storage capacity for emergency power, but they’re part of a complex hybrid system.

Your home should ideally do something similar on a smaller scale, by combining high-efficiency solar with electricity supplied by PSEG.

What’s the Point of Solar if I Still Need the Grid?

The point of solar is that it can reduce your electricity bill. Consider the crucial factors:

• On high-production days, your solar panels produce more energy than you need. Your home is powered for free, and the rest goes to the grid.
• Your bi-directional meter counts the energy you export, building a credit bank on your account.
• These credits are used to offset your grid consumption, so even when you aren’t getting all the energy you need from solar panels, your past generation still benefits you.
• This type of system is known as Net Metering. It helps generate significant savings for homeowners.

Solar saves you money upfront by reducing your electricity bill, and helps to offset future usage by exporting any surplus energy. According to the latest 2026 data from Consumer Affairs, the average homeowner in America will enjoy significant five-figure savings over the lifetime of solar panels.

What is Energy Independence for Long Island Families?

Energy independence is a term used in the solar industry to describe the basic benefits and additional freedoms you enjoy after getting a solar installation.

• You have more control over your energy spending by producing electricity on your rooftop.
• You can integrate backup solutions to improve reliability and maximize savings. For example, you could install a solar battery, store electricity during the day, and then send it to the grid during peak times to maximize your credit bank.
• Batteries are also suited to home backup in emergencies, like when the grid goes down during an Atlantic storm. No more generators, fumes, or fuel.
• With a hybrid system, you only pay for the panels and storage that you need, rather than maintaining a massive system just to be off-grid.

Energy independence is better than being off-grid and is much more affordable.

See How Much You Could Save with the Best Solar Panel Installer on Long Island

Power Solutions is Long Island’s highest-rated solar panel installer. Serving Suffolk and Nassau Counties since 2009, we have helped countless families and businesses to become energy independent.

You don’t need to be off-grid to save money with solar. In fact, you will save more when you’re still hooked up. Learn what solar would look like on your rooftop, starting with a no-obligation and free home solar estimate today.