In short: Most Rochester homes get power from RG&E, at about 18.8¢ per kWh in 2024, with about 2 hours 20 minutes of outages per customer once storms were counted, far less than National Grid’s upstate average (EIA). The Village of Fairport runs its own utility at about 6.7¢. Rochester has 784 public charging ports.
This page covers what is different in the Rochester area: RG&E’s rules and programs, the village utilities, Monroe County’s hazards and the local charging network. For statewide rules (net metering, the state solar tax credit, NY-Sun and licensing), see our New York energy guide.
Rochester at a glance
- RG&E (Rochester Gas and Electric): serves the city of Rochester and much of Monroe County. About 18.8¢ per kWh for homes in 2024. Outages: about 139 minutes per customer with major events, 81 without; 1.1 interruptions a year (EIA-861, 2024).
- Village utilities: Fairport, Spencerport and Churchville run their own electric systems. Fairport homes paid about 6.7¢ per kWh in 2024, with about 37 minutes of outages per customer (EIA-861).
- National Grid: serves parts of Monroe County, at about 17.2¢ per kWh in 2024 (EIA-861).
- Supplier choice: about 57,000 RG&E households, roughly one in six, bought supply from another company in 2024; RG&E still delivered it (EIA-861).
- Sun: about 3.6 kWh per square meter per day in Rochester, from about 1.0 in December to 5.9 in June (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,040 kWh a year per kW of panels.
- Top hazards: FEMA’s National Risk Index (December 2025) rates Monroe County “very high” for cold waves and “relatively high” for ice storms, flooding and winter weather.
- Public charging: 784 public ports at 243 locations in Rochester (AFDC, October 3, 2026).
Your utility and what it means
- RG&E, solar: statewide net metering applies (see the state page). Systems connected since 2022 pay a monthly Customer Benefit Contribution of $1.31 per kW in 2026, about $9 a month for a 7 kW system; the rate changes each year (NYSERDA). EIA counted 2,805 net-metered home solar systems on RG&E’s grid in 2024.
- RG&E, batteries: NYSEG and RG&E run a “Bring Your Own Battery” program that pays $50 per kW of average battery output during summer events: up to 20 events a year, each up to four hours between noon and 7 p.m., May 1 to September 30. Tesla and Enphase owners enroll in their apps. Since March 1, 2026, NYSERDA’s home battery incentive in RG&E territory requires enrolling (NYSERDA, January 2026).
- RG&E, EVs: RG&E lists EV programs for homes on its website; we could not open its pages to confirm current terms, so check there before you buy a charger.
- Village customers: Fairport, Spencerport and Churchville set their own rates and solar rules; RG&E’s programs do not apply to them. Ask your village utility.
Backup power in Rochester
RG&E’s record in 2024 was the best of the big upstate utilities: about 81 minutes out per customer on normal days and about 2 hours 20 minutes with major storms, against about 8.5 hours for National Grid’s upstate customers (EIA; RG&E reports under its own standard, so treat the comparison as rough). Monroe County’s risks are cold and ice: FEMA rates it “very high” for cold waves and “relatively high” for ice storms. A winter outage puts furnaces, sump pumps and pipes at risk, even if it is short.
For a few hours, a home battery or a portable power station keeps a furnace blower, sump pump, fridge and phones going without fuel. For an ice storm that lasts days, a generator on a transfer switch is the dependable choice. Run a portable generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, exhaust away from windows and doors, never in a garage (CPSC). A licensed electrician must install any connection to house wiring. Compare options in backup power options, size them with the battery backup calculator or the generator sizing tool, and read generator installation.
Solar in Rochester
Rochester’s sun gives about 1,040 kWh a year per kW by our rough estimate, the lowest of our New York metros, and December brings less than a fifth of June’s sunlight. Solar here is a summer harvest banked through net metering for winter bills. RG&E’s grid had relatively little home solar in 2024, 2,805 systems, so you may know few neighbors with panels; that is not a reason to avoid it, but get two or three quotes and test them in the solar savings calculator. In Fairport, power at about 6.7¢ makes solar hard to pay back. Check your roof with the solar potential tool; read solar installation and how net metering works.
Batteries in Rochester
With RG&E’s short normal-day outages, a battery’s backup value is mostly for storms; the summer program adds yearly income. Only 73 home batteries paired with solar were on RG&E’s grid in 2024 (EIA). Lithium batteries lose performance in the cold, so an indoor spot such as a basement or heated garage is usually better; follow the maker’s limits and your building department’s rules. See home battery installation and home battery cost.
EV charging in Rochester
Rochester lists 784 public charging ports at 243 locations, almost as many as Albany and well ahead of Buffalo’s 492 (AFDC, October 3, 2026). At home, a Level 2 charger needs a 240 V circuit from a licensed electrician and a permit; cold weather cuts range, so a garage charger helps in winter. Estimate your cost with the EV charging calculator and read EV charger installation.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Rochester: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Permits and inspections
- Rochester: the City of Rochester issues building and electrical permits for homes inside the city.
- Suburbs: towns and villages in Monroe County, such as Fairport, issue their own permits.
- Utility: solar and batteries need interconnection approval from RG&E, National Grid or your village utility; installers usually file it.
- Electricians and HOAs: New York licenses electricians locally, so ask the city or county; get HOA approval in writing first.
Cities we cover
- Rochester
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Rochester energy FAQ
Does RG&E pay me to use my home battery?
Yes. NYSEG and RG&E’s Bring Your Own Battery program pays $50 per kW of average battery output during up to 20 summer events a year, between noon and 7 p.m. Enrolling is now required to receive NYSERDA’s home battery incentive in RG&E territory. Check RG&E’s program page for brands and terms.
Why is power so cheap in Fairport?
Fairport runs its own municipal electric utility; its homes paid about 6.7¢ per kWh on average in 2024, against about 18.8¢ for RG&E (EIA). Low prices make solar slower to pay back there, so village residents should weigh backup and other goals, and check Fairport’s own solar rules.
What is the monthly charge on new solar with RG&E?
Solar systems connected since January 1, 2022 pay a Customer Benefit Contribution of $1.31 per kW of panels a month in 2026, about $9 a month for a 7 kW system (NYSERDA). It funds state efficiency and low-income programs and is reset every year.
How reliable is RG&E compared with other upstate utilities?
In 2024 RG&E customers averaged about 2 hours 20 minutes without power with major storms included, against about 8.5 hours for National Grid and 11 hours for NYSEG (EIA). Utilities report on slightly different standards, so take this as a rough guide.
Sources
Utilities, prices, outages, supplier customers, solar and battery counts: U.S. Energy Information Administration, EIA-861 data for 2024 (RG&E and NYSEG report outages under their own standards). NYSERDA 2026 Customer Benefit Contribution rates and January 2026 storage webinar (utility battery programs). Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Charging: Alternative Fuels Data Center, October 3, 2026. Generator safety: CPSC.