Syracuse Energy Guide: Solar, Batteries, Backup Power and EV

In short: Syracuse homes get power from National Grid, at about 17.2¢ per kWh in 2024, with about 8.5 hours of outages per customer once storms were counted (EIA). FEMA rates Onondaga County “very high” for ice storms and winter weather. Next door, the Village of Solvay’s own utility charged about 6.5¢.

This page covers what is different in the Syracuse area: National Grid’s programs and outage record, the village utilities, Onondaga County’s hazards, the city’s Central Permit Office and local charging. For statewide rules (net metering, the state solar tax credit, NY-Sun and licensing), see our New York energy guide.

Syracuse at a glance

• National Grid (Niagara Mohawk): serves the city of Syracuse. About 17.2¢ per kWh for homes in 2024. Outages across its upstate system: about 510 minutes per customer with major events, 141 without; 1.7 interruptions a year (EIA-861, 2024).
• Village utilities: Solvay and Skaneateles run their own electric systems. Solvay homes paid about 6.5¢ per kWh in 2024 (EIA-861).
• NYSEG: serves parts of Onondaga County, at about 18.3¢ per kWh and about 655 minutes of outages with major events in 2024 (EIA-861).
• Supplier choice: about one in fifteen National Grid households bought supply from another company in 2024 (EIA-861).
• Sun: about 3.6 kWh per square meter per day, from about 1.0 in December to 5.9 in June, the darkest December of our New York metros (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,050 kWh a year per kW of panels.
• Top hazards: FEMA’s National Risk Index (December 2025) rates Onondaga County “very high” for ice storms and winter weather and “relatively high” for lightning, flooding and strong wind.
• Public charging: 348 public ports at 95 locations in Syracuse (AFDC, October 3, 2026).

Your utility and what it means

• National Grid, solar: statewide net metering applies (see the state page). Systems connected since 2022 pay a monthly Customer Benefit Contribution of $0.97 per kW in 2026, about $7 a month for a 7 kW system, the lowest of New York’s utilities (NYSERDA).
• National Grid, batteries: ConnectedSolutions pays $50 per kW of average battery output during summer events (May to September, 2 to 10 p.m., up to 60 events of at most four hours), about $250 a year on average by National Grid’s figure; approved brands, with or without solar. NYSERDA’s home battery incentive in National Grid territory requires enrolling (National Grid; NYSERDA).
• National Grid, EVs: the EV Charge Smart Plan pays $25 to sign up and $25 a month when at least 80% of your home charging, 50 kWh or more, happens between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.; standard residential rate only (National Grid).
• NYSEG and the villages: NYSEG’s battery program pays $50 per kW a year for events between noon and 7 p.m., and its 2026 solar charge is $1.19 per kW a month (NYSERDA). Solvay and Skaneateles set their own rates and solar rules; ask the village.

Backup power in Syracuse

Ice is the local threat. FEMA rates Onondaga County “very high” for ice storms, the kind of event that coats trees and lines and can leave neighborhoods dark for days in the cold. Across National Grid’s upstate system, customers averaged about 2 hours 20 minutes without power on normal days in 2024 and about 8.5 hours once major storms were counted (EIA). A winter outage threatens heat, sump pumps and pipes, and outside the city, well pumps.

For multi-day winter outages, a generator on a transfer switch or a standby unit is the dependable choice. A home battery rides through shorter outages silently and earns summer payments; a portable power station covers phones, Wi-Fi and a CPAP in an apartment. Run a portable generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, exhaust away from windows and doors, never in a garage, and keep snow and ice clear of it (CPSC). A licensed electrician must install any connection to house wiring. Compare options in backup power options, size them with the generator sizing tool or the battery backup calculator, and read generator installation.

Solar in Syracuse

Syracuse makes about 1,050 kWh a year per kW by our rough estimate, but its December is the darkest of our New York metros, about a sixth of June’s sunlight, and snow often covers panels. Solar here is a summer harvest that net metering carries into winter bills. With National Grid’s lower prices and the lowest solar charge of New York’s utilities, the math depends on a real quote: check your roof with the solar potential tool and test it in the solar savings calculator. In Solvay, power at about 6.5¢ makes solar much slower to pay back. Read solar installation and how net metering works.

Batteries in Syracuse

A battery here does two jobs: backup in ice storms and summer income from National Grid. Check that your battery brand is on National Grid’s approved list before you buy, since the NYSERDA incentive depends on enrolling. 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 the building code. See home battery installation and home battery cost.

EV charging in Syracuse

Syracuse lists 348 public charging ports at 95 locations (AFDC, October 3, 2026). At home, National Grid’s EV Charge Smart Plan can return $25 a month for overnight charging. Winter cold cuts range, so a garage charger and preheating while plugged in help. A Level 2 charger needs a 240 V circuit from a licensed electrician and a permit. Estimate your cost with the EV charging calculator and read EV charger installation.

Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Syracuse: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.

Permits and inspections

• Syracuse: the city’s Central Permit Office is a one-stop shop for construction and trade permits; the city suggests checking with Zoning Administration before you start.
• Suburbs: towns and villages in Onondaga County issue their own permits.
• Utility: solar and batteries need interconnection approval from National Grid, NYSEG 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

• Syracuse

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Syracuse energy FAQ

What is the biggest power outage risk in Syracuse?

Ice storms and winter weather, both rated “very high” for Onondaga County by FEMA. National Grid’s upstate customers averaged about 8.5 hours without power in 2024 once major storms were counted, so plan backup for heat, a sump pump and the fridge over at least a day.

Where do I get a solar or generator permit in Syracuse?

Inside the city, from the Central Permit Office, which handles construction and trade permits; check zoning first. In the suburbs, from your town or village. Your installer or electrician normally pulls the permit, and National Grid approves any grid connection.

Is solar worth it with Syracuse winters?

It can be, on a sunny unshaded roof. Our rough estimate is about 1,050 kWh a year per kW, mostly from spring to early fall, and net metering banks summer surplus for winter. National Grid’s lower price makes payback slower than downstate, so compare a real quote before deciding.

I live in Solvay. Do National Grid’s programs apply?

Not if the village sends your electric bill. Solvay runs its own utility, and its homes paid about 6.5¢ per kWh in 2024 (EIA). Ask the village about solar and battery rules; National Grid’s ConnectedSolutions and EV plan are for National Grid customers.

Sources

Utilities, prices, outages, supplier customers: U.S. Energy Information Administration, EIA-861 data for 2024 (National Grid’s figures cover its whole upstate system). National Grid ConnectedSolutions battery page and EV Charge Smart Plan FAQ, read October 3, 2026. NYSERDA 2026 Customer Benefit Contribution rates and January 2026 storage webinar. City of Syracuse Central Permit Office. Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Charging: Alternative Fuels Data Center, October 3, 2026. Generator safety: CPSC.