It happened again. Your electric bill for the month was much higher than anticipated. This has been a regular occurrence over the past year. The price increase happens without warning just like the unexpected power outages. Unfortunately, you’re connected to the only energy company in your area. You feel like you don't have a choice but to remain their loyal customer.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. 

In early 2025, News12 The Bronx reported over 50 residents took to the Next Door app wondering how they were going to pay their latest Con edison bill. One resident’s bill was $586 more expensive than the month prior.

The energy company’s suggestion? Get on a payment plan or have someone come read your meter to ensure proper functioning. 

I’m Lindy, coming to you from MPower Solar, a family-owned, residential solar installation company in NYC. I’m here to bring you some good news – you have a say in how you choose to keep your lights on.

Let’s take a look at how sustainable energy compares to fully relying on the grid.

By the end of this video, you’ll be second guessing how much you really trust the future of electricity.

Why is Your Electric Bill So High?

CNet examined that in 2024, nearly 78% of Americans were stressed about rising home energy costs.

Since MPower Solar is located in New York, this article will examine New York’s energy market with facts that may differ from your local area.

New Yorkers face the highest electricity rates in the nation– about 50% more per kilowatt hour than residents of other states. 

A quick Google search provides resources on how to decrease your energy consumption. Yet, many fail to detail why homeowners see spikes in their energy bills without warning.

Thankfully, NYGroove, an independent news source in New York City, revealed the truth. Con Edison, one of New York’s major energy suppliers, buys energy on the wholesale market. Then, they sell it back to customers. 

As their website states – What we pay, you pay. If their price increases, so does yours. Factors like inflation, weather, and pipeline disruptions make it even more challenging to keep a steady price.

The Truth Behind New York’s Deregulated Electricity Market

New York is one of 18 states that operates on a deregulated electricity market. This means that residents of New York can choose their electric provider. This differs from regulated markets that mandate who provides electricity to your home.

While this might sound like a win, deregulation does have a cost. 

Having so many energy providers to choose from makes it difficult for New Yorkers to find the lowest energy price. To truly untangle the web of energy prices, most residents would need to be able to fully comprehend electricity fact labels (EFL) on a regular basis. Energy companies know that isn’t going to occur. Therefore they hope you choose a plan and forget about it.

However, there are companies like Arbor to help you find the lowest electricity rates in your area.

The Grid’s Aging Infrastructure Takes a Toll

At 55 to 65 years old, the U.S. electric grid is nearing the end of its 50 to 80 year lifecycle. Though the majority of the system was built in the 1960s and 1970s – which isn’t old in the typical way we perceive age –  over 70% of the grid isn’t able to keep up with modern electricity needs.

Nevertheless, most residents of the United States remain connected to the grid. This means that as the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, the majority of residents will see their electricity impacted.

Heatwaves and fires across the country have become increasingly common. These lead to unexpected outages for dangerous amounts of time. The same goes for snow storms and freezing temperatures in places like Texas that aren’t equipped to handle that type of weather.

New York City sees the effects of changing climate, too. The Hill reported in 2024 that several neighborhoods in Queens had more than 100 power outages over a three year period.

Preventing Brown and Black Outs

It will always be daunting to receive a text from the city alerting you to a “brown-out”. These alerts are a way of attempting to reduce demand on New York City’s electric grid. Residents are encouraged to limit their electricity usage on the hottest days of the summer to avoid a full blown black out.

Though the Department of Energy announced a $3.5 billion projected spend to strengthen the electrical grid across 44 states, it won’t be a fast process. Renewable energy is proving to be the safest way forward.

Choosing a Clean Energy Provider

Homeowners in New York City and throughout the country have a big decision to make: remain fully reliant on the power grid or seek alternative energy solutions.

As we touched on earlier, New York is a deregulated energy state meaning that residents can choose the source of their electricity.

For instance, MPower Energy, our sister company, is a clean energy provider in New York City. Companies like MPower provide energy from wind and solar farms to provide eco-friendly energy that takes stress off the grid. In these cases, the utility company will still read your meter and deliver the energy to your home – but you’ll have control of where the energy comes from.

A quick google search will pull up a lengthy list of renewable energy providers in your area. 

Taking Power Over Your Power

Making the choice to utilize a clean energy source instead of the traditional grid has plenty of perks. Reducing your carbon footprint, improving air quality, and long-term savings are just a few. Yet, you’ll never have 100% control over where your energy comes from.

The only way to do that is by installing solar panels on your roof.

If you own your home, investing in your own solar panel system combats rising energy prices and protects your electricity in the event of a blackout. Even though it might be more expensive up front, going solar will save you the most money in the long run.

Since the sun directly supplies your power, you won’t have to worry about rising prices in the energy market. The sun produces energy for your home free of charge. 

If you pay for your solar system outright, your excess energy will either go to a battery or back into the grid through net metering. In the case of net metering, the only monthly payment you might have is a small service charge to your utility company. If you finance or lease your system, credible providers will honor the monthly price you commit to in the beginning and won’t raise your prices. 

Any way you cut it, your energy bill can be 75% or more lower than when fully connected to the grid. That doesn’t even account for the solar tax incentives at your fingertips when you make the switch.

Plus, solar panels are made to withstand extreme weather conditions, so you shouldn’t have to worry about them too much. In the off chance that your panels aren’t working, you’ll be able to quickly detect the problem via an app on your phone.

Shining a Light

Fully relying on your energy company for electricity is far from the only option you have. If you’re experiencing hikes in your energy costs, unexpected blackouts, or a massive change of weather in your area – it might be time to explore sustainable energy.

Relying on solar or wind energy instead of the traditional grid will save you stress and money in the long run. 

If you’re a homeowner in New York and would like to explore your solar options – give us a call. We’re standing by to help you keep your lights on and your  bill lower for years to come.