Gov. Cuomo. Photo: Creative Commons/Pat Arnow
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced state-supported solar power in New York increased nearly 800% from December 2011 to December 2016, leveraging nearly $1.5 billion in private investment. Solar growth is critical to the Governor’s Clean Energy Standard that 50%t of New York’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030.
“New York is a national leader in clean energy, and the tremendous growth of the solar industry across this state demonstrates this renewable technology’s increased accessibility and affordability for residents and businesses,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our investments in this clean energy resource create jobs, reduce carbon emissions, support economic growth and help build a cleaner, greener New York for all.”
The 795% solar growth in the State over the last five years was supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York Power Authority, the Long Island Power Authority and other private and public sector actors. 64,926 projects were installed through the end of 2016, compared with 8,989 through the end of 2011. These state-supported projects total nearly 744 megawatts of solar power installed. That amount of electricity would be sufficient to meet the needs of more than 121,000 average homes.
The significant growth of solar power is attributed to a combination of factors, including the NY-Sun Megawatt Block
Photo: Creative Commons/Anthony Delanoix
Incentive program, a decline in solar equipment prices, and growth in the number of installer businesses marketing solar directly to consumers.
Richard L. Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading Reforming the Energy Vision strategy, solar power is integral to driving the State’s clean energy economy while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Clean, renewable energy will help the State meet its aggressive energy goals, make electricity more affordable for New Yorkers and bring about a more resilient and versatile energy system.”
The largest percentage increase in solar power was in the Mohawk Valley, followed by the Finger Lakes Region, Central New York and the Southern Tier. Long Island has more installations than any other region of the State, followed by the Mid-Hudson Valley and Capital Region.
The following table highlights the significant expansion of solar power under NY-Sun in each region of the State from the end of 2011 through the end of 2016:
NYSERDA data
On Long Island, there were more than 28,000 solar projects installed from the end of 2011 through the end of 2016, accounting for more than 260 megawatts, enough to power more than 35,000 average homes. The projects resulted from both the NY-Sun program and LIPA/PSEG Long Island solar programs.
With a total of more than 38,000 solar projects, including the more than 28,000 installed over the last five years, Long
Island is the first New York region to meet the State’s megawatt block target for the residential market, underscoring the effectiveness and success of NY-Sun and the other Long Island utility programs. The momentum across Long Island is expected to continue because of federal and state tax credits, affordable financing for underserved communities, and an established market of solar developers.
In addition to the new solar installations over the last five years, more than 886 MW of additional solar power was under development in the state as of the end of last year, enough to power more than 150,000 average homes.
In 2014, Governor Cuomo made a historic commitment of nearly $1 billion to NY-Sun to stimulate the marketplace and increase the number of solar electric systems across the state over 10 years. NY-Sun aims to add more than three gigawatts of installed solar capacity in the state by 2023. New York now has more than 8,000 workers engaged in solar jobs.
Maps showing megawatts of solar for counties in each New York region and a chart illustrating pre-NY-Sun versus post-NY-Sun figures can be found here.
News item from NYSERDA