Carbon-Neutral Building Incentives for New York Designers & Developers

New York State’s transition to carbon-neutral construction will allow developers, designers, and builders to create sustainable projects that comply with new regulations and unlock significant financial and operational benefits. As the region’s leading clean energy provider and trusted EPC for solar project development across New York State, we’re here to break down what is available to help you make your new all-electric building project more profitable.

Carbon-neutral building incentives for all-Electric construction in New York

All-electric construction will be the status quo in New York State by 2026, with new clean energy code updates anticipated soon. New York’s carbon-neutral initiatives, supported by NYSERDA, provide robust incentives for designers and builders who embrace all-electric, energy-efficient designs.

GreenSpark Solar is here to help you understand these programs and ensure your construction project complies with these upcoming changes.

NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence

In support of New York State Governor Hochul’s two-million climate-friendly homes initiative, NYSERDA’S Buildings of Excellence (BOE) program aims to accelerate the adoption of carbon-neutral multi-family building designs through funding and project support.

Key Details:

For new construction, adaptive reuse, or gut rehabilitation projects achieving carbon-neutral performance.
The competition focuses on designs that are beautiful, functional, and resilient living spaces for low-to-moderate-income (LMI) or market-rate residents while demonstrating replicability and scalability.
The BOE program includes two distinct competitions, the Demonstration RFP and the Early Design Support RFP.

Buildings of Excellence Early Design RFP

Program Overview:

- - This pilot program provides direct funding to design firms to encourage the development of carbon-neutral, multi-family building designs.
  - Eligible projects must incorporate strategies to reduce energy use, improve building resiliency, and enhance occupant comfort while remaining replicable and scalable. Participants can receive funding for initiatives such as early design support, marketing, and promotion.
  - Funding is available at $1.50 per square foot, capped at $150,000 per project, with up to four project submissions allowed per applicant.
Application details: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through November 15, 2025.

Buildings of Excellence Demonstration RFP

Program Overview:

- This initiative supports the design, construction, and operation of real-world demonstration projects for carbon-neutral multifamily buildings.
- Eligible projects focus on innovative energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and replicable solutions to accelerate industry adoption.
- The program seeks to fund exemplary projects that meet high-performance standards for sustainability, beauty, and functionality, serving as models for future development.
Application details: This RFP is currently closed; however, 65 projects have already been awarded funding, with 32 under construction or completed. Developers and designers should stay updated for future opportunities and consider connecting with existing projects for insights.

How GreenSpark can help: As a twenty-two-year expert in New York State building code and net-zero design and development, we can help you seamlessly integrate solar solutions into building designs, enabling access to funding to improve your project’s ROI.

NYSERDA Building Cleaner Communities Competition

NYSERDA’s Building Cleaner Communities Competition (BCCC) supports new construction and adaptive reuse projects designed to achieve carbon-neutral or net-zero energy performance.

To date, awards have been distributed to forty-eight projects that span a diverse range of sectors and a mix of new construction, adaptive reuse, expansion, upgrades, and planning. In fact, GreenSpark Solar’s forthcoming Workforce Training Center is one of these awarded projects.

Key competition details:

Covers up to 60%–75% of eligible costs (up to $1,700,000)
Projects that incorporate Ground Source Heat pumps to meet all heating and cooling loads are eligible for an increase incentive cap (up to $2,000,000)
Eligible sectors range from commercial and light industrial to institutional buildings, including large-scale, multi-building developments.
Eligible costs include design, construction, and technology for net-zero energy performance.
Focused on projects that offer essential community services, from agriculture to arts and culture.
Projects must align with Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) goals and demonstrate replicable, community-benefiting models.

Application details: Submit applications through the REDC Consolidated Funding Application. Round XIV closed in July 2024, and future rounds and associated application deadlines have yet to be announced. Check back here in 2025 for program updates.

How GreenSpark can support: Our team provides photovoltaic feasibility studies and turnkey solar solutions to help your project meet funding requirements and ensure high-quality implementation once awarded.

NYSERDA Building Better Homes

This initiative is designed to help builders and developers create all-electric, zero-emissions single-family homes and townhomes.

Key Details:
- Incentives are for home design, staff training, and marketing zero-emissions construction.
- Eligible projects include:
  - Zero Emissions Home Design or Re-design,
  - Passive House-focused training for the Applicant’s staff and their subcontractors,
  - The new construction of single-family homes and townhomes that meet the RFP requirements
- Requires third-party certification (e.g., Passive House, Zero Energy Ready Homes, ENERGY STAR®).
Application: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through NYSERDA’s Building Better Homes Portal up through December 31, 2025, and must be submitted before building permits are issued.

How GreenSpark can help: GreenSpark offers solar feasibility analyses to open up funding opportunities, helping projects meet program requirements and secure incentives. Once awarded, our NABCEP and NYSERDA Gold Quality Installer Certified installation team can support project implementation. We’re the region’s most trusted solar partner with over twenty-two years of expertise.

Why New York builders and designers should act now

Maximize your project’s benefits:

Incorporating solar and clean energy into your projects offers more than compliance—it delivers real benefits:

Maximize project margins: Solar integration enhances profit margins for builders while reducing long-term energy costs for clients.
Expand market appeal: With Millennials leading new home purchases and a growing demand for net-zero properties, solar-powered projects are in high demand.
Simplify sustainability: GreenSpark’s turnkey services make solar integration easy, leaving you to focus on other aspects of your project.
Lead the industry: Stand out as a sustainability expert and electrification leader in a competitive market.

Take advantage of time-sensitive savings opportunities

With deadlines for the All-Electric Act approaching and competitive funding programs like NYSERDA’s incentives in play, now is the time to act. By integrating clean energy solutions, developers and designers can position their projects for success while meeting state requirements.

Why Choose GreenSpark Solar as your partner?

GreenSpark Solar brings unmatched expertise in photovoltaic systems and a commitment to helping developers, designers, and builders thrive in the clean energy era. From feasibility studies to system installation, we’re here to make your project a success.

Ready to start building the future? Contact Us Today.