Value Stack Calculator

NY-Sun developed the Value Stack Calculator to help contractors better estimate compensation for specific solar and energy storage projects. The calculator combines the wholesale price of energy with the distinct elements of distributed energy resources (DERs) that benefit the grid: the avoided carbon emissions, the cost savings to customers and utilities, and other savings from avoiding expensive capital investments.

We periodically update the calculator—please revisit this page regularly to ensure you are using the most recent version. To download the calculator, you will need a recent version of Microsoft Excel (older and web-based versions of Excel may have performance issues). The password to unlock the file is nysun.

Phase Two Version

Value Stack Calculator Rev 3.2
(VDER Phase Two) [XLSB]

Use the Phase Two Calculator for projects that qualified after July 26, 2018. Projects qualify when they make their 25% upgrade payment to the utility. If no utility upgrade costs are required, projects qualify when the interconnection agreement is fully executed.

Revision 3.2 (02/11/2025) of the Value Stack Calculator includes the following changes:

Added historical 2024 LBMP data
Added historical 2024 ICAP Rate data
Updated LSRV hours based on 2024 peaking events
For projects choosing Capacity Alternative 3, the calculator now lags capacity payment by one year to align with utility tariffs. ICAP Alternative 3 payments for a given year are based on the project’s generation during the previous year’s peak hour. Please see Row 8 of the Documentation tab for more details.
For clarity, reduced the number of utility service classifications listed for charging energy storage systems from the grid. Please see Row 151 of the Documentation tab for more details.

Phase One Version

Value Stack Calculator Rev 3.2
(Phase One Projects) [XLSB]

Use the Phase One Value Stack Calculator for older projects that qualified on or before July 26, 2018. Projects qualify when they make their 25% upgrade payment to the utility. If no utility upgrade costs are required, projects qualify when the interconnection agreement is fully executed.

Revision 3.2 (02/11/2025) of the Phase One Value Stack Calculator contains the revisions indicated above, with the exception of the energy storage functionality.

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If you have questions about the Value Stack Calculator, email us at [email protected].